A derogatory term that befits individuals who find pictures of anthropomorhpic creatures erotic and / or awe-inspiring.

Unfortunately there is no one definition for a furry, so this will break down the stages that a human goes through to become a furry:

1. An individual finds a species of animal particularly interesting or beautiful, and begins to seek works that include this animal. This may range from artwork, books, or fiction from various authors. No quirks have been noted at this stage, but the individuals affection with the creature begins to grow beyond the bounds of admiration and into something far, far more sinister.

2. The individual meets other individuals who share a common ground with the animal in question. They begin to discuss in great detail about the animal and aspects of the animal they find fascinating. They may go so far to say that they would like those aspects as a part of themselves. They begin to find or make works of their own about the creature, becoming more and more detailed with each project. Admiration slips into affection, and from affection to pure, raw, lust.

(Note that at this stage the furry is still of a human mind, though slightly bewildered. Most furries are at this stage.)

3. The individuals expresses a unnatural desire for the animal in question. To appease their increasing need for self-satisfaction, the individuals find or make works of the animal in a human-esque form, usually in poses that most rational people would find questionable. The individuals go so far to say that they require sexual release from these creatures, and speak of their animal on a daily if not hourly basis. Their mind derails all forms of rational thought and replaces it with the animal. They shelter themselves from the outside world and delve deeper into their circle of e-friends. Most furries at this stage appear human from a distance, and mayhaps even up close, but conversations with them tend to rival the witty banterings of the insane, ranging from random outbursts about their love of the animal to their need to find more people who wish to talk about how they love their animal. Most conversations may or may not include the words 'yiff', 'vore', or 'Yahoo Groups'.

4. Any aspects that made up the furrys former sanity crumble as they are now completely detached from the sentient world. They ARE the animal in all respects. They find solace in extremely erotic pictures of the animal with other animals, doing things both consensual, non-consensual, and most of the times outright acts of unbelieveable terror that rational humans would find horrifying and grounds of lunacy. They also may wear full-body makeup or a costume or the animal in question, and engage in physical acts within their circle of friends. Not all furries, however, are that extreme at the practice. Eventually they consider themselves members of some sound religion that is under fire of prejudice, and they lash out at any and all anti-furry activists (humans) as it threatens their sheltered lifestyle and could possibly shatter their imaginary world. They begin to think of themselves as the only sentient beings, when in actuality the clowns are running the circus in their fantasy world of shitting dicknipples and transvestite dogs. Any and all form of human interaction with a furry at this stage is impossible or considered an act of anti-furry terrorism that is met with an explosion of outrage and extreme argumentation, usually over the internet. Some are so serious in their practice that they undergo incredible surgeries to graft a part of their animal (ears, tail, whiskers, shitting dicknipples) onto themselves.

(Note that this stage is the most dangerous and should be recommended for immediate execution, sterilization, or possible exhibit at the local zoo.)

There is no one single definition of what a furry is. Even within the furry fandom, people cannot always agree on just what makes a person a furry or not.

Some would argue that to be a furry, you must think and talk like one (i.e. use furry specific words and phrases). Even if you go to conventions, wear a fursuit, draw the art, writes the stories etc but don't talk using furry lingo, you're not a furry. Basically, someone that may walk the walk but doesn’t talk the talk.

Others would argue that even liking anthropomorphic creatures makes you a furry. You may have no idea the furry fandom exists or have ever heard of a furry convention, let alone any of the websites; simply liking 'anthro' critters makes you a furry.

The way I see it, if or if you don’t consider yourself a furry is a matter of personal opinion.

As with any hobby, most furries are normal people just like anyone you'll meet at work/school or going to/from work/school or anywhere. Then there is the small percent that are hard core fans and have taken what for most is a hobby and perverted it (sometimes in an all to literal sense).

As is with so many other things in life, the few that take it too far tend to be the loudest. The silent majority are often forced into silence by the loud majority for fear that people will label them as being in the same class as the minority that have perverted it.

One ...

Possibly the strangest sub-culture in all of geekdom. Furries range from being harmless fans fascinated by anthropomorphic characters and animals, to immensely withdrawn or self-abosrbed persons who actually believe, or want to believe, they're eagle-winged fox-like versions of themselves with giant gentalia who wouldn't dare be anything else that could be considered mundane. Furries defy any coventional or unifying definition.

n., adj. In the broadest definition, someone who finds the idea of anthropomorphic (humanlike) animals, in art, fiction, cartoons, costume, or other media, to be an appealing one. Furries are an extremely diverse group and no one furry may possess all, or any, of the traits typically associated with the group; furries can range from people who are fans of old Warner Bros. and Disney cartoons; people who enjoy portraying anthropomorphic animals in art; people who enjoy imagining what a future, past or alternative world might be like if humans were replaced with or accompanied by anthropomorphic animals; and people who like wearing costume tails, ears and/or animal mascot costumes, to those who feel spiritual connections to animals or to the animal form; those who admire the beauty, power, speed or grace of of the animal form; those who believe they have empathy with or can communicate with animals, for example people who work with them; people who have a great deal of respect for animal welfare; and people who find the concept of anthropomorphic animals enjoyable in a sexual way. (Amongst many, many other things.)

Those who do enjoy the erotic/adult side of furry are, like those who participate in any other sexual fetish or behaviour, almost always harmless in their indulgence of their fantasies, which usually involves erotic art and roleplay, and may involve consenting activities with fellow adults while in costume. Why people get uptight about what is such a cute, sill...

1. adjective.: having or coated in fur.
2. adjective.: being related to the 'furry' community, such as artwork, stories.
3. mistake.: A misspelling of fury =P
4. noun.:
a. One who shows interest in things that can be described with the 'furry' adjective.
b. One who prefers to imagine themself as more animalistic than they are.

Other related definitions:
stereotype-furry:
Derogatory generalization of how many 'furry-haters' see the noun form of 'furries' as, usually portrayed as pitiful homosexual men who dress up as the animal they like or 'want to fuck' the most, and have sex with their animals. This is in fact not what 99% of 'furries' are like, however, being the most widely publicized, it is also the most widely criticized.

furry-hater:
One who takes it upon themselves to be prejudice against the noun form of 'furries', usually assuming that all 'furries' are 'stereotypical furries', needlessly persuing some sort of apparent need to let everyone know that they hate 'furries'

99% of all furries:
Some draw, some write, some read, some listen to stories, most keep to themselves because of 'furry-haters'
Just like everyone else, some are male, some are female, and just like everyone else, some are gay, some are straight, and just like everyone else, most go to school or have a job.

Simply - One who has an interest (small or large) of anthropomorphic animals (animals who have a human qualities be it simply talking or having a human-like body).

One who has an interest in anthropomorphic animals. Does not mean wanting to have sex with them.

Furry fandom is a category (or sub-genre) of fantasy dedicated to anthropomorphics: fictional animal characters given human personalities and characteristics. It originated as a fusion of science fiction, comic book, and animation fandom during the 1980s. It has thrived and grown, evolving into its own branch of fandom and finding adherents all over the world – enough that they may be regarded as forming a subculture. Furry fandom has a large presence on the Internet, and many furry conventions in North America and Europe are held every year, the largest being Anthrocon in Philadelphia in July with an attendance of nearly 2500. Further Confusion, held in San Jose, California each January, is almost as large. In 2004, 19 such conventions took place around the world. The original furry convention was the now-defunct Confurence, based in southern California.

Furry fans, sometimes referred to as furries or furs for short, are eager for more material than is available from mainstream publishers. The demand is filled by fellow fans – amateur to professional artists, writers, and publishers who produce drawings, paintings, stories, independent comic books, fanzines, Web sites and even small press books. Fans with ...

The actual word, other than the otherwise apparently famous group of others, means for something to have fur, such as a cat or a dog, or even a hampster... but not naked mole rats. No, not them.