fur

1 of 3

verb

ˈfər 

furred; furring

transitive verb

1

: to cover, line, trim, or clothe with fur

2

: to coat or clog as if with fur

3

: to apply furring to

intransitive verb

: to become coated or clogged as if with fur

fur

2 of 3

noun

often attributive

1

: a piece of the dressed pelt of an animal used to make, trim, or line wearing apparel

2

: an article of clothing made of or with fur

3

: the hairy coat of a mammal especially when fine, soft, and thick

also : such a coat with the skin

4

: a coating resembling fur: such as

a

: a coat of epithelial debris on the tongue

b

: the thick pile of a fabric (such as chenille)

furless

ˈfər-ləs 

adjective

fur

3 of 3

abbreviation

furlong

Did you know?

When the word fur first came into English, it was a verb that meant “to line a person’s garment with the soft hair of an animal.” The noun developed from the verb. First, the noun referred to the animal hair that was used for lining and trimming a garment. Then it came to refer to the hairy coat on the animal itself. The verb, not much used anymore, was taken from the early French verb furrer, meaning “to stuff, fill, line.” It was formed from an earlier French word meaning “a sheath.” Thus our word fur for the hairy coat that covers or encases an animal traces back to a word for a sheath that encases a knife or sword.

Synonyms

Noun

• coat
• fleece
• hair
• jacket
• pelage
• pile
• wool

Examples of fur in a Sentence

Noun

The cat has black-and-white fur.

The rabbit's fur is soft.

Her gloves are lined with fur.

He made his fortune trading furs in the 17th century.

Her new fur is a full-length mink coat.

a teddy bear with soft fur

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

The foils can also retract, meaning that the boats aren't at risk of marine growth, which could otherwise fur them up. —Julia Buckley, CNN, 28 July 2022

Perhaps some day Levi will watch one of his father’s cartoons and notice a mama bear with tender eyes and fur the color of coffee. —Soudi Jiménez, Los Angeles Times, 22 June 2021

Without the companion app, FurReal is still a responsive robot who makes calm, happy noises when kids pet it on its furred back, or barks a warning when its tail is tweaked. —USA TODAY, 27 Mar. 2020

Whether feathered or furred, all of these animals belong to the same political species: the bird-dogger. —Samuel Ashworth, Washington Post, 24 Feb. 2020

At the pool’s edge, mosses fur the stones in newborn green, and white flowers bloom, their perfume carried lightly on the vapor cast off by the waterfall. —Seija Rankin, EW.com, 22 Jan. 2020

That was my America right there: pastel greenish-brown of grass furring the rolling hills. —Colin Barrett, Harper's magazine, 5 July 2019

Even a few hours in a fruit bowl on a summer afternoon is enough to fur them with mold, after which emergency measures may or may not help. 3. —New York Times, 22 May 2018

One vendor sold from racks of authentic furs while another offered a fur tissue box covers and fur hot water bottles. —Beth Spotswood, San Francisco Chronicle, 1 May 2018

Noun

Both pieces feature faux fur luxe upholstery, which is available in seven colors including cream, gray, and khaki. —Ali Faccenda, Peoplemag, 8 Apr. 2024

At the start of the research period in 1911, otter populations were at a low point, having been hunted almost to extinction for their fur. —Olivia Ferrari, Smithsonian Magazine, 8 Apr. 2024

Staff encourage anyone with pets facing similar matted fur issues to reach out, Abraham said. —Jenna Prestininzi, Detroit Free Press, 4 Apr. 2024

Native to much of California, beavers were hunted to near extinction throughout North America by fur traders in the 1800s. —Tribune News Service, The Mercury News, 1 Apr. 2024

There are 40 styles, including some options with elegant faux fur cuffs and fun prints. —Katrina Cossey, Parents, 1 Apr. 2024

Pieces like a faux fur coat, a deconstructed varsity jacket, a washed cotton suit are the standouts in this collection. —Kerane Marcellus, Essence, 25 Mar. 2024

The frame, which could be adjusted to change the angle of repose, held a slim, black fur mattress with a cylindrical headrest. —Evan Moffitt, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2024

She’s worn everything from a regal silver cutout bodysuit to a floor-sweeping hot pink fur vest and nothing but a bra underneath to a black cowboy hat with fringe. —Michelle Lee, Peoplemag, 25 Mar. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English furren, from Anglo-French furrer to stuff, fill, line, from fuerre sheath, of Germanic origin; akin to Old High German fuotar sheath; akin to Greek pōma lid, cover, Sanskrit pāti he protects

First Known Use

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing fur

• fur fly
• fur seal
• northern fur seal
• southern fur seal

Kids Definition

fur

noun

ˈfər

1

: a piece of the pelt of an animal

2

: an article of clothing made with fur

3

: the hairy coat of a mammal especially when fine, soft, and thick

furless

-ləs

adjective

furred

ˈfərd

adjective

Etymology

Noun

Middle English furre "a piece of animal skin used to line a garment," from furren (verb) "to line a garment with fur," from early French furrer, "to stuff, fill, line," from fuerre "sheath," of Germanic origin

Word Origin

When the word fur first came into English, it was a verb that meant "to line a person's garment with the soft hair of an animal." The noun developed from the verb. First the noun referred to animal hair used for lining and trimming a garment. Then it came to refer to the hairy coat on the animal itself. The verb, not much used anymore, was taken from the early French verb furrer meaning "to stuff, fill, line." It was formed from an earlier French word meaning "a sheath." Thus our word fur for the coat that covers or encases an animal traces back to a word for a sheath that encases a knife or sword.

Medical Definition

fur

noun

ˈfər 

often attributive

1

: the hairy coat of a mammal especially when fine, soft, and thick

2

: a coat of epithelial debris on the tongue