by far

far  (fär)

adv. far·ther (färr) or fur·ther (fûrr), far·thest (färst) or fur·thest (fûrst)

1. To, from, or at considerable distance: a cat that had strayed far from home.

2. To or at a specific distance, degree, or position: Just how far are you taking this argument?

3. To a considerable degree; much: felt far better yesterday; eyes that seemed far too close together.

4. Not at all; anything but: seems far from content; a test of strength that was far from a failure.

5. To an advanced point or stage: a brilliant student who will go far.

adj. farther or further, farthest or furthest

1.

a. Being at considerable distance; remote: a far country.

b. Going back a considerable extent in time: the far past.

2. More distant than another: the far corner.

3. Extensive or lengthy: a far trek.

4. Far-seeing and comprehensive in thought or outlook: a commander of far vision.

5. Marked by political views of the most advanced or extreme nature: the far right; the far left.

6. Being on the right side of an animal or a vehicle.

7. Being the animal or vehicle on the right.

Idioms:

by far

To the most extreme or evident degree: She is by far the best executive in the company.

far and away

By a great margin: "That made him, far and away, the best known of the Democrats who started the presidential race this year" (Tom Wicker).

far and wide

Everywhere: looked far and wide for the lost puppy.

far cry

A long way: The climate in Alaska is a far cry from that of Florida.

how far

To what degree, distance, or extent: didn't know how far to believe them; tried to decide how far she could ski in such cold.

so far

1. Up to the present moment: So far there's been no word from them.

2. To a limited extent: You can go only so far on five dollars.

thus far

Up to this point; so far: Our success has been limited thus far.

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[Middle English, from Old English feor; see per¹ in Indo-European roots.]

Thesaurus

Adv.

1.

by far - by a considerable margin; "she was by far the smartest student"; "it was far and away the best meal he had ever eaten" far and away, out and away