farfetched

Far-fetched is an adjective used to describe something—such as a claim, explanation, or plot—that seems unlikely, implausible, or excessively speculative. It often implies that additional evidence or more careful reasoning would be required to make the thing believable, and it is frequently used to express skepticism about a theory or narrative.

Etymology and usage: The term combines far (at a great distance) with fetched (brought or drawn). Historically, it referred to something physically reachable only with a long pull or stretch; by extension, ideas or stories that are “pulled” from distant possibilities. The hyphenated form far-fetched is standard in most varieties of English, though some writers use far fetched.

Typical contexts: The phrase is common in journalism, criticism, and everyday speech. Collocations include far-fetched idea, far-fetched explanation, and a far-fetched tale. It carries a negative connotation in formal writing, though in casual contexts it can be used more lightly, and some writers may employ it playfully to describe imaginative fiction or stretches of logic.

See also: implausible, improbable, unlikely, extravagant, contrived.