English Reference
noun · verb

fur

n. · v.
US /ˈfɝ/ UK /fˈɜː/ fur UK spelling fur's, fur's

  1. 01 B1 Intermediate

    n.the thick, soft hair that covers the bodies of animals like cats, dogs, and bears.

    n.the dense, soft, and fine hair covering the epidermis of various mammal species.

    Simple

    The cat has very soft grey fur that feels like silk.

    In context

    Biologists noted that the thickness of the animal's fur increased significantly as the winter temperatures began to drop below freezing.

  2. 02 B1 Intermediate

    n.animal skins with the hair still attached, used to make warm clothes.

    n.animal pelts processed for use in the manufacture, trimming, or lining of garments.

    Simple

    In the past, many people wore heavy fur coats to stay warm in winter.

    In context

    The fashion house faced significant criticism from activists for its continued use of real fur in its autumn collection.

  3. 03 C1 Advanced Technical

    n.a thin layer of something that forms on a surface, like the white coating on a tongue or inside a pipe.

    n.a coating or deposit resembling animal fur in texture or appearance, such as limescale in a kettle or a coating on the tongue.

    Simple

    The old kettle was full of white fur from the hard water.

    In context

    The plumber explained that the heating efficiency had decreased because of the thick fur of calcium carbonate inside the pipes.

  4. 04 B2 Upper Intermediate InformalHumorous

    n.a lot of hair on a person's body.

    n.an abundance of human body hair, typically used in a descriptive or slightly humorous manner.

    Simple

    He has so much fur on his back he doesn't need a sweater.

    In context

    The comedian made a self-deprecating joke about the thick fur on his chest that became visible when he wore a V-neck shirt.

    hairiness
  5. 05 C1 Advanced Slang

    n.a person who is a fan of animal characters with human qualities.

    n.a member of the 'furry' fandom, a subculture interested in anthropomorphic animal characters.

    Simple

    He identified as a fur and spent months designing his own animal costume.

    In context

    The convention center was booked for a weekend gathering of furs from across the country to share their artwork and costumes.

  6. 06 C2 Proficiency TechnicalBritish English

    v.to become covered with a thin layer of something, like minerals in a pipe.

    v.to become coated with a fur-like deposit or scale; often used in the context of plumbing or biology.

    Simple

    If you don't clean the pipes, they will eventually fur up and stop working.

    In context

    In regions with high mineral content in the water supply, domestic appliances tend to fur up much faster than in soft-water areas.

This entry
Level B1 · Intermediate
Frequency Common
Updated