far-flung

USAGE SUMMARY

"far-flung" is a correct and usable word in English writing.
It is an adjective that means widely dispersed or spread out. Example sentence: The company had far-flung offices in many parts of the world.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

FAR-FLUNG CORRESPONDENTS piece about revisiting Bayeux.

The New Yorker

Benfey's roots are indeed far-flung.

The New York Times - Books

Others want to accommodate far-flung guests.

The New York Times

Far-Flung Correspondents piece from Florence, Italy.

The New Yorker

Far-Flung Correspondents piece about Chicago.

The New Yorker

OUR FAR-FLUNG CORRESPONDENTS about Queensland, Australia.

The New Yorker

OUR FAR-FLUNG CORRESPONDENTS about Presidential campaigning.

The New Yorker

The kittens of a far-flung province.

The New Yorker

A Far-Flung Correspondents piece from Tokio.

The New Yorker

OUR FAR-FLUNG CORRESPONDENTS about the Carter Administration.

The New Yorker

You have come from far-flung places.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "far-flung" to add vividness when describing locations, ideas, or connections that span considerable distance or scope. It helps convey a sense of expansiveness or complexity.

Common error

Avoid using "far-flung" when a simpler word like "distant" or "remote" would suffice. Overusing it can make your writing sound pretentious or unnecessarily complex.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "far-flung" is as an adjective. It typically modifies nouns to describe something that is geographically distant, widely distributed, or extensively spread out. Ludwig shows examples from various sources where "far-flung" is used to describe locations, operations, and interests.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

88%

Science

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Academia

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "far-flung" is a grammatically sound and frequently used adjective that vividly describes something geographically distant, widely distributed, or extensively spread. According to Ludwig, it appears most commonly in news and media contexts, adding depth to descriptions of locations, operations, or ideas. While versatile, it's best used when its specific nuance of distance or scope is essential, avoiding overuse in simpler contexts. Alternatives include "remote", "distant", and "widespread", each offering a slightly different emphasis. The phrase is generally considered suitable for neutral to professional writing, as also confirmed by Ludwig.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Remote

Emphasizes physical distance and isolation.

Distant

Highlights the separation in space or time.

Widespread

Focuses on the broad distribution or extent.

Extensive

Implies a great range or scope.

Wide-ranging

Similar to widespread but suggests variety within the distribution.

Far-reaching

Indicates significant impact or influence over a large area.

Scattered

Suggests a dispersed and uneven distribution.

Outlying

Refers to being situated far from the center.

Faraway

Emphasizes the exotic or inaccessible nature of the distance.

Godforsaken

Implies a negative connotation of being extremely remote and undesirable.

FAQs

How can I use "far-flung" in a sentence?

You can use "far-flung" to describe remote locations, such as "The explorer visited far-flung corners of the earth", or widespread ideas, like "The company has far-flung operations across the globe".

What are some alternatives to "far-flung"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "remote", "distant", or "widespread".

Is "far-flung" formal or informal?

"Far-flung" is generally considered a neutral to slightly formal term. It's suitable for news articles, academic papers, and professional communications, but may sound overly elaborate in casual conversation.

What does "far-flung" imply about a location or idea?

"Far-flung" implies that a location is not only distant but also possibly difficult to reach or access. When describing ideas or connections, it suggests they are spread out over a large area or involve many different elements.