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Fur vs. Leather — What's the Difference?

By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on October 31, 2023
Fur is the soft, thick hair of animals; Leather is tanned animal hide used for clothing, accessories, and other products.
Fur vs. Leather — What's the Difference?

Difference Between Fur and Leather

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Key Differences

Fur is a thick growth of hair that covers the skin of many animals, acting as a protective layer against the elements. Leather, on the other hand, is a material created by tanning the hides of animals, particularly used due to its durability and flexibility.
Fur is often prized for its softness, warmth, and luxurious feel. It can be long or short, curly or straight, and comes in various natural colors. Leather is valued for its strength, resilience, and ability to be molded into various shapes, making it ideal for items like shoes, belts, and bags.
While fur retains the natural look of the animal's coat and is often used in its entirety, leather undergoes a process of tanning to prevent it from decaying, and can be dyed or treated to attain different textures and finishes.
The ethical concerns surrounding fur and leather have been debated for years. While fur is criticized due to the killing of animals primarily for their coats, leather is primarily a byproduct of the meat industry, though it has its own ethical considerations.
In terms of maintenance, fur requires careful handling to retain its quality and can degrade if not properly stored. Leather, while more durable, also needs regular care to prevent it from drying out or cracking.
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Comparison Chart

Source

Animal hair
Animal hide

Primary Use

Warmth & Aesthetics
Durability & Flexibility

Processing

Natural or Dyed
Tanned and often dyed

Ethical Concerns

Killing for coat
Byproduct of meat, tanning processes

Feel/Appearance

Soft, fluffy
Smooth, can be grainy

Compare with Definitions

Fur

The soft hair on animals.
She wore a coat with fox fur.

Leather

Material made from tanned animal hide.
She bought a new leather jacket.

Fur

Animal's coat in its entirety.
She brushed the dog's fur every day.

Leather

Can be dyed and treated.
The red leather purse was her favorite.

Fur

Used for insulation and warmth.
The fur lining provided extra warmth in the boots.

Leather

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

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.

Leather

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

Fur

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

Leather

A piece of leather as a polishing cloth.

Fur

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

Leather

Short for stirrup leather

Fur

Coat or clog with a deposit
The stuff that furs up coronary arteries

Leather

Beat or thrash (someone)
He caught me and leathered me black and blue

Fur

Covered with or made from a particular type of fur
The black-furred rabbit

Leather

The dressed or tanned hide of an animal.

Fur

Level (floor or wall timbers) by inserting strips of wood
The drain could be concealed by furring out the original wall

Leather

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

Fur

Relating to the Fur or their language.

Leather

The flap of a dog's ear.

Fur

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

Leather

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

Fur

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

Leather

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

Fur

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

Leather

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

Fur

See fake fur.

Leather

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

Fur

A furlike coating
Fur on the tongue.

Leather

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

Fur

To cover, line, or trim with fur.

Leather

A piece of the above used for polishing.

Fur

To cover or coat as if with fur.

Leather

(colloquial) A cricket ball or football.

Fur

To line (a wall or floor) with furring.

Leather

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

Fur

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

Leather

(baseball) A good defensive play

Fur

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

Leather

(boxing) A punch.

Fur

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

Leather

The skin.

Fur

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

Leather

Made of leather.

Fur

A thick pile of fabric.

Leather

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

Fur

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

Leather

(transitive) To cover with leather.

Fur

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

Leather

(transitive) To strike forcefully.

Fur

The layer of epithelial debris on a tongue.

Leather

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

Fur

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

Leather

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.

Fur

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

Leather

The skin.

Fur

A furry; a member of the furry subculture.

Leather

To beat, as with a thong of leather.

Fur

Pubic hair.

Leather

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

Fur

Sexual attractiveness.

Leather

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

Fur

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

Leather

Durable and flexible material.
The leather shoes lasted for years.

Fur

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

Leather

Used in making accessories and furniture.
The leather couch was a luxurious addition to the living room.

Fur

To level a surface by applying furring to it.

Leather

A byproduct of the meat industry.
The industry produces leather from cow hides.

Fur

Pronunciation spelling of for

Fur

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

Fur

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

Fur

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

Fur

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

Fur

Any coating considered as resembling fur

Fur

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

Fur

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

Fur

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

Fur

To cover with morbid matter, as the tongue.

Fur

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.

Fur

The dressed hairy coat of a mammal

Fur

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

Fur

A garment made of fur

Fur

A garment made from animal hair.
His fur kept him warm during the winter.

Fur

Thick growth of hair.
The cat's fur was soft and silky.

Common Curiosities

Why is fur controversial?

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

Is leather waterproof?

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

Can both fur and leather be faux?

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

How is leather made?

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

How can you tell genuine leather from faux leather?

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

Is fur warmer than leather?

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

How do you clean leather?

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

How should fur be stored?

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

Can leather breathe?

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

What animals are commonly used for fur?

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

Is it ethical to wear fur and leather?

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

Are there alternatives to animal fur?

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

Why is fur used in winter garments?

Fur has insulating properties that provide warmth in cold conditions.

How long does leather last?

With proper care, leather can last for decades.

What's the difference between full-grain and top-grain leather?

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

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Previous Comparison
Limestone vs. Lime

Author Spotlight

Written by
Tayyaba Rehman
Tayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.

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