fur
6 synonyms for fur, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — The soft, thick hair covering the body of many mammals.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use fur
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
fur coat
thick fur
fake fur
Etymology
From Middle English furre/forre, via Anglo-Norman, ultimately from a Germanic root meaning "sheath" or "case" — the same root that gives German Futter ("lining").
Full origin of fur →Frequently asked questions
What does “fur” mean?
The word “fur” means the soft, thick hair covering the body of many mammals. In plain terms, the soft hairy covering on an animal, or clothing/material made from animal pelts.
How do you pronounce “fur”?
“Fur” is pronounced fur (/fɝ/ in IPA).
How do you use “fur” in a sentence?
Here is “fur” used in a sentence: “The cat's fur was soft and glossy after its bath.”
What part of speech is “fur”?
“Fur” is a noun.
Where does the word “fur” come from?
The word “fur” comes from Middle English. From Middle English furre/forre, via Anglo-Norman, ultimately from a Germanic root meaning "sheath" or "case" — the same root that gives German Futter ("lining").
Is “fur” a common word?
“Fur” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “fur” have?
“Fur” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the soft, thick hair covering the body of many mammals.
What is the difference between fur and hair?
Fur and hair are essentially the same material; "fur" is used for the soft, thick coat covering the body of many mammals, while "hair" describes the finer or sparser growth on humans and some animals. In everyday English, an animal is said to have fur when the coat is dense and covers most of the body.
What is the difference between fur and a pelt?
Fur is the soft, thick hair itself, while a pelt is an animal's skin with the fur still attached, typically after it has been removed for use as material. Fur used for clothing or trim comes from prepared pelts.
Is fur countable or uncountable?
As the hair covering an animal, fur is uncountable: "the cat's fur is soft." It becomes countable when it refers to a garment made from animal pelts, as in "she wore a fur," or to types and pelts, as in "expensive furs."
