furry

¹ American  

[fur-ee] / ˈfɜr i /

adjective

furrier, furriest

1. consisting of or resembling fur.

   a deep, furry rug in front of the fireplace;

   the furry undergrowth of the forest.

2. covered with fur.

   Many furry animals are in danger of becoming extinct.

3. obstructed or coated as if with fur: a furry tongue.

   a furry voice;

   a furry tongue.

4. Slang. terrifying; hair-raising.

   There were some pretty furry moments in the movie last night.

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furry ² American  

[fur-ee] / ˈfɜr i /

noun

furries plural

1. a member of a subculture devoted to art, writing, or costumes depicting anthropomorphic animals.

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adjective

1. of, relating to, or characteristic of the furry fandom.

   Furry art commissions are often well-paid.

furry British  

/ ˈfɜːrɪ /

adjective

1. covered with fur or something furlike

2. of, relating to, or resembling fur

3. another word for furred

4. Also: furred.  (of the tongue) coated with whitish cellular debris

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• furriness
  noun
• furrily
  adverb

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• furries
  plural

Etymology

Origin of furry¹

First recorded in 1590–1600; fur + -y ¹

Origin of furry²

First recorded in 1985–90; special use of furry ¹ ( def. )

Explanation

Something that's furry is covered with fur, or a thick coat of hair. Unless she's one of the unusual hairless breeds, like a Sphinx, your cat is probably furry. Most mammals are furry, in fact, while reptiles tend to be scaly instead. Santa Claus is famous not just for wearing a furry red and white suit, but also for having a long, furry beard. Anything with a surface that resembles fur is furry, from a furry sweater to the furry leaf of a plant.

Example Sentences

But another factor is that more capybaras are living closer to humans than they used to, and the furry neighbors are charming.

From Slate • May 27, 2026

In 1968, they designed the costumes for NBC’s “Banana Splits,” a sort of furry take on “The Monkees,” which led to “Pufnstuf,” their first original work for television.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 13, 2026

Do you have any suggestions for how to travel smartly with a furry companion?

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 10, 2026

A wild possum joined stuffed furry friends in an Australian airport gift shop this week, surprising travellers in an adorable case of hide and squeak.

From Barron's • Mar. 19, 2026

“Dr. Spires is just finishing up with a furry patient,” the voice said, drowning in syrupy-sweet kindness.

From "Sir Fig Newton and the Science of Persistence" by Sonja Thomas

Related Words

• fuzzy
• shaggy
• woolly