Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Very far away in distance: Located at a great physical distance from the point of reference.
   • Very far away in time: Occurring in the distant past or the distant future.

Usage

• The adjective "far-off" is used to describe something that is extremely distant, either spatially or temporally. It emphasizes a significant degree of separation. It is typically used before a noun (attributive position).

Examples

• Describing physical distance:
  • We could see lights from a far-off village.
  • The explorer dreamed of reaching far-off lands.
• Describing time:
  • She reminisced about far-off childhood memories.
  • Scientists speculate about conditions in the far-off future.

Advanced Usage

• "far-off look/expression/gaze": A facial expression where someone's eyes seem focused on something distant, indicating that they are lost in thought or memory.
  • He had a far-off look in his eyes as he remembered his homeland.

Variants and Related Words

• Faraway (adjective): A direct synonym with the same meanings of being distant in space or time. (e.g., , ).
• Distant (adjective): Similar in meaning but can also imply emotional remoteness. "Far-off" is often more evocative of romantic or imaginative distance.
• Remote (adjective): Emphasizes being far away and isolated.

Synonyms

• Distant
• Faraway
• Remote
• Far-flung

Antonyms

• Nearby
• Close
• Imminent (for time)
• Recent (for past time)

Related Phrases and Idioms

• From far-off places: Originating from or located in very distant areas.
  • The museum collected artifacts from far-off places.
• In far-off times: During a period in the very distant past or future.
  • Legends tell of great heroes in far-off times.

Adjective

1. very far away in space or time
   • faraway mountains
   • the faraway future
   • troops landing on far-off shores
   • far-off happier times