Fur vs. Leather — What's the Difference?

The soft hair on animals.

Material made from tanned animal hide.

Animal's coat in its entirety.

Can be dyed and treated.

Used for insulation and warmth.

Leather is a strong, flexible and durable material obtained from the tanning, or chemical treatment, of animal skins and hides to prevent decay. The most common leathers come from cattle, sheep, goats, equine animals, buffalo, pigs and hogs, and aquatic animals such as seals and alligators.Leather can be used to make a variety of items, including clothing, footwear, handbags, furniture, tools and sports equipment, and lasts for decades.

Fur is a thick growth of hair that covers the skin of many different animals, particularly mammals. It consists of a combination of oily guard hair on top and thick underfur beneath.

A material made from the skin of an animal by tanning or a similar process

A member of a Muslim people of the mountainous and desert regions of south-western Sudan.

A piece of leather as a polishing cloth.

The language of the Fur, an isolated member of the Nilo-Saharan family, with about 500,000 speakers.

Short for stirrup leather

Coat or clog with a deposit

Beat or thrash (someone)

Covered with or made from a particular type of fur

The dressed or tanned hide of an animal.

Level (floor or wall timbers) by inserting strips of wood

Any of various articles or parts made of dressed or tanned hide, such as a boot or strap.

Relating to the Fur or their language.

The flap of a dog's ear.

The thick coat of soft hair covering the skin of certain mammals.

To cover wholly or in part with the dressed or tanned hide of an animal.

The hair-covered, dressed pelt of such a mammal, used in making garments and as trimming or decoration.

(Informal) To beat with a strap made of hide.

A garment made of or lined with the dressed pelt of a mammal.

Made of, relating to, or resembling dressed or tanned animal hide.

See fake fur.

(Slang) Of or relating to the wearing of leather, or patronized by people who wear leather, especially as a sexual fetish

A furlike coating

A tough material produced from the skin of animals, by tanning or similar process, used e.g. for clothing.

To cover, line, or trim with fur.

A piece of the above used for polishing.

To cover or coat as if with fur.

(colloquial) A cricket ball or football.

To line (a wall or floor) with furring.

(plural: leathers) clothing made from the skin of animals, often worn by motorcycle riders.

The hairy coat of various mammal species, especially when fine, soft and thick.

(baseball) A good defensive play

The hairy skin of an animal processed into clothing for humans.

(boxing) A punch.

A pelt used to make, trim or line clothing apparel.

The skin.

A coating, lining resembling fur in function and/or appearance.

Made of leather.

A thick pile of fabric.

Referring to one who wears leather clothing (motorcycle jacket, chaps over 501 jeans, boots), especially as a sign of sadomasochistic homosexuality.

The soft, downy covering on the skin of a peach.

(transitive) To cover with leather.

The deposit formed on the interior of boilers and other vessels by hard water.

(transitive) To strike forcefully.

The layer of epithelial debris on a tongue.

(transitive) To spank or beat with a leather belt or strap.

(heraldry) One of several patterns or diapers used as tinctures.

The skin of an animal, or some part of such skin, with the hair removed, and tanned, tawed, or otherwise dressed for use; also, dressed hides, collectively.

Rabbits and hares, as opposed to partridges and pheasants (called feathers).

The skin.

A furry; a member of the furry subculture.

To beat, as with a thong of leather.

Pubic hair.

Of, pertaining to or made of leather; consisting of leather; as, a black leather jacket.

Sexual attractiveness.

An animal skin made smooth and flexible by removing the hair and then tanning

(transitive) To cover with fur or a fur-like coating.

Durable and flexible material.

(intransitive) To become covered with fur or a fur-like coating.

Used in making accessories and furniture.

To level a surface by applying furring to it.

A byproduct of the meat industry.

Pronunciation spelling of for

The short, fine, soft hair of certain animals, growing thick on the skin, and distinguished from the hair, which is longer and coarser.

The skins of certain wild animals with the fur; peltry; as, a cargo of furs.

Strips of dressed skins with fur, used on garments for warmth or for ornament.

Articles of clothing made of fur; as, a set of furs for a lady (a collar, tippet, or cape, muff, etc.).

Any coating considered as resembling fur

One of several patterns or diapers used as tinctures. There are nine in all, or, according to some writers, only six.

Of or pertaining to furs; bearing or made of fur; as, a fur cap; the fur trade.

To line, face, or cover with fur; as, furred robes.

To cover with morbid matter, as the tongue.

To nail small strips of board or larger scantling upon, in order to make a level surface for lathing or boarding, or to provide for a space or interval back of the plastered or boarded surface, as inside an outer wall, by way of protection against damp.

The dressed hairy coat of a mammal

Dense coat of fine silky hairs on mammals (e.g., cat or seal or weasel)

A garment made of fur

A garment made from animal hair.

Thick growth of hair.

Fur is controversial due to concerns about animal cruelty and environmental impact.

Leather is naturally water-resistant, but not waterproof. It can be treated to improve water resistance.

Yes, there are faux versions of both fur and leather made from synthetic materials.

Leather is made by tanning animal hide to increase its durability and prevent decay.

Genuine leather has a unique texture and smell, whereas faux leather has a more uniform appearance.

Fur is typically warmer due to its insulating properties, while leather provides wind resistance.

Leather should be cleaned with specific leather cleaners and conditioned regularly.

Fur should be stored in cool, dry places away from direct sunlight.

Yes, leather is porous and can breathe, making it comfortable for wear.

Minks, foxes, rabbits, and chinchillas are among the animals commonly used for fur.

Ethics vary by individual. Some consider it unethical due to animal welfare concerns, while others view it as a byproduct of other industries.

Yes, synthetic or faux fur is a popular alternative to animal fur.

Fur has insulating properties that provide warmth in cold conditions.

With proper care, leather can last for decades.

Full-grain leather retains the entire grain of the hide, while top-grain leather has the surface layer sanded.