Meaning & use
farfetched
Last updated
Meaning
adjectivenot comparable
Unlikely to be true; difficult to believe because it is exaggerated or improbable.
Grammar: Describes ideas, explanations, or stories. Not usually used in the comparative.
Patterns
- farfetched idea
- farfetched story
- sound farfetched
His excuse for being late sounded farfetched.
The plot of the movie was too farfetched to be believable.
It may seem farfetched, but scientists are working on teleportation.
Common combinations
- a farfetched excuse
- He gave a farfetched excuse about aliens stealing his homework.
- sound farfetched
- The theory sounds farfetched, but there is some evidence.
- a bit farfetched
- The ending of the novel was a bit farfetched.
Synonyms and how they differ
- implausible
- More formal than 'farfetched'; 'implausible' simply means not seeming reasonable, while 'farfetched' emphasizes exaggeration.
- unbelievable
- Stronger and more emotional; 'unbelievable' can also mean amazing, while 'farfetched' specifically means hard to believe because it is unlikely.
Opposites
Commonly confused: farfetched or far-reaching?
farfetched vs far-reaching
'Far-reaching' means having a wide effect or influence, while 'farfetched' means unlikely. They sound similar but mean very different things.
Practice
Choose the sentence where 'farfetched' fits best:
Choose one answer.
'Farfetched' describes an unlikely claim or idea. It is not used for physical distance, taste, or manner of running.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “farfetched”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.