farthest
/'fɑ:ðist/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Adjective:
- Most distant in space, time, or order: Used to describe the point, object, or moment that is the most remote or extreme in a given context.
- Utmost, extreme: Refers to the greatest possible degree or extent of something.
Adverb:
- To the greatest distance: Indicates movement or location at the maximum physical distance.
- To the greatest degree or extent: Used in a more abstract sense to indicate the highest level or most advanced stage.
Usage Examples
Adjective:
- They explored the farthest regions of the continent. (They explored the most remote areas.)
- This manuscript dates from the farthest period of the dynasty. (It comes from the most distant time.)
- He sat in the farthest corner of the room. (He sat in the most distant corner.)
Adverb:
- Of all the planets, Neptune is farthest from the sun. (It is at the greatest physical distance.)
- She threw the ball farthest in the competition. (Her throw covered the greatest distance.)
- His ideas are the farthest from our current policy. (His ideas represent the greatest abstract distance or difference.)
Advanced Usage
- "At the farthest": An idiom meaning "at the maximum limit," often used for time, distance, or amount.
- The journey will take three hours at the farthest. (It will take three hours at the very most.)
- Used to emphasize an extreme point in a comparison.
- This theory pushes our understanding the farthest. (It advances our understanding to the greatest extent.)
Variants and Related Words
- Far (adj/adv): At, to, or by a great distance.
- Farther (adj/adv): Comparative form of 'far,' used primarily for physical distance.
- Further (adj/adv): Comparative form of 'far,' used for both physical distance and figurative degree.
- Furthest (adj/adv): Superlative form, often interchangeable with 'farthest,' but 'furthest' is more common for abstract degrees.
- Farthermost / Furthermost (adj): Synonymous with 'farthest,' meaning most distant.
Synonyms
- Utmost: Of the greatest or highest degree.
- Extreme: Reaching a high or the highest degree.
- Remotest: Most far away.
- Outermost: Situated on the outside; farthest from the center.
Notes on Usage
- 'Farthest' vs. 'Furthest': While often used interchangeably, a common distinction is:
- Farthest: Preferred for measurable, physical distance (e.g., the farthest planet).
- Furthest: Preferred for figurative or abstract extent (e.g., the furthest thing from my mind). However, this distinction is not absolute, and 'furthest' is frequently used for physical distance as well.
Adjective
- (comparatives of `far') most remote in space or time or order
- had traveled to the farthest frontier
- don't go beyond the farthermost (or furthermost) tree
- explored the furthest reaches of space
- the utmost tip of the peninsula
Adverb
- to the greatest degree or extent or most advanced stage (`furthest' is used more often than `farthest' in this abstract sense)
- went the furthest of all the children in her education
- furthest removed from reality
- she goes farthest in helping us
- to the greatest distance in space or time (`farthest' is used more often than `furthest' in this physical sense)
- see who could jump the farthest
- chose the farthest seat from the door
- he swam the furthest