faraway
B1Pronunciation
UK
- /fˌɑːrəwˈeɪ/
US
- /ˈfɑrəˈweɪ/
Description
- distant
- remote
- far-off
"Faraway" usually describes something that is a long way off. It can be a place, a sound, a time in the past, or even a look on someone's face. A faraway look often means the person is lost in thought and not fully focused on what is happening around them. The word can also give a scene a quiet, dreamy feeling, like a faraway island in the mist or the faraway sound of a train at night.
Imagine a sailor looking at a faraway shore after months at sea, or a child listening to a faraway train whistle on a quiet night. In both cases, the word suggests distance, but it can also add a soft feeling of wonder, memory, or separation. It is not only about how far something is, but also about how distant it seems.
"Faraway" describes something that is far away in space, time, or feeling. At its most basic, it means distant. You can use it for places, as in a faraway village or a faraway shore. You can also use it for things you hear, such as a faraway bell or the faraway rumble of thunder. In these cases, the word helps create a scene, not just measure distance.
It is also common in a more figurative sense. If someone has a "faraway look" or a "faraway expression," they seem deep in thought, as if their mind is somewhere else. The word can describe the past too: a faraway time may feel distant not only in years, but in mood, like something half remembered.
The exact tone depends on the context. Sometimes "faraway" is neutral and simply means distant. Sometimes it sounds poetic, gentle, lonely, or full of wonder. A faraway country may seem unknown and exciting. A faraway memory may feel faint and personal. A faraway dream may seem hard to reach, but still alive in the mind.
Unlike a plain phrase such as "very far," "faraway" often adds atmosphere. It can make a sentence feel more vivid and reflective. That is why it appears often in stories, songs, and descriptive writing: it names distance, but it also suggests what that distance feels like.
Examples
- 1
Story places
As a child, she loved reading stories about faraway places.
- 2
Distant sound
We could hear the faraway sound of church bells in the evening.
- 3
Facial expression
He had a faraway look in his eyes during dinner.
Phrase
a faraway look
an expression that shows someone is thinking about something else
Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- farawayadjective