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by far

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by far

also far and away

to a great degree She is by far the shortest student in the class. She is greater by far than anyone playing today. He is far and away the greatest tennis player I've ever seen.

See also: far

by far

Also, far and away. To the greatest degree, by a large margin. For example, She is by far the most experienced member of the cast, or, as Anthony Trollope wrote, "He was far and away the cleverest of his party" ( The Duke's Children, 1880). The first term dates from the late 1700s, the variant from the mid-1800s. Also see by half.

See also: far

by far

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

See also: far