fur

verb

\ ˈfər

furred; furring

Definition of fur

(Entry 1 of 3)

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

noun, often attributive

Definition of fur (Entry 2 of 3)

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)

fur

abbreviation

Definition of fur (Entry 3 of 3)

furlong

Other Words from fur Synonyms Did You Know? Example Sentences Learn More about fur

Keep scrolling for more

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.

Examples of fur in a Sentence

Noun

The cat has black-and-white fur. The rabbit's fur is soft.

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

That was my America right there: pastel greenish-brown of grass furring the rolling hills. — Colin Barrett, Harper's magazine, "“Just Keep Going North”," 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, "The Best Fruits of Summer, Ranked," 22 May 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'fur.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Keep scrolling for more

More Definitions for fur

fur

noun

English Language Learners Definition of fur

: the hairy coat of an animal especially when it is soft and thick

: the fur of an animal used for clothing

: a piece of clothing (such as a coat) made with fur

See the full definition for fur in the English Language Learners Dictionary

fur

noun

fur

Definition of fur

Other Words from fur

Synonyms for fur

Did You Know?

Examples of fur in a Sentence

First Known Use of fur

History and Etymology for fur

English Language Learners Definition of fur

fur

Definition of fur

Other Words from fur

Synonyms for fur

Did You Know?

Examples of fur in a Sentence

First Known Use of fur

History and Etymology for fur

English Language Learners Definition of fur

WORD OF THE DAY