How to pronounce further
Say it like FUR-ther. Further has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (FUR).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce further. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- FUR
- ther
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Further pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- FURSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ur" in nurse.
- therKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "er" in butter.
American vs British pronunciation of further
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: FUR-thuh.
What does further mean?
- to or at a greater extent or degree or a more advanced stage (further is used more often than farther in this abstract sense)“further complicated by uncertainty about the future”“let's not discuss it further”
- in addition or furthermore“if we further suppose”“stated further that he would not cooperate with them”
- to or at a greater distance in time or space (farther is used more frequently than further in this physical sense)“farther north”“moved farther away”
- promote the growth of“Foster our children's well-being and education”
- contribute to the progress or growth of“I am promoting the use of computers in the classroom”
- more distant in especially degree“nothing could be further from the truth”“further from our expectations”
Where does further come from?
From Middle English further, forther, from Old English forþor, furþor (“further”, adverb), from Proto-West Germanic *furþer, from Proto-Indo-European *per- (a common preposition), equivalent to fore + -ther (a vestigial comparative ending s
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Questions about saying further
How do you pronounce further?
Say FUR-ther. The American pronunciation is /ˈfɝðɚ/. In British English it is /ˈfɜːðə/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in further?
Further has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (FUR). Broken into parts: FUR · ther.
Is further pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead. The British form is /ˈfɜːðə/ (FUR-thuh).