How to pronounce "fur"

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Humanity takes center stage at TED,

but I would like to add a voice for the animals,

whose bodies and minds and spirits shaped us.

Some years ago, it was my good fortune

to meet a tribal elder on an island

not far from Vancouver.

His name is Jimmy Smith,

and he shared a story with me

that is told among his people,

who call themselves the Kwikwasut'inuxw.

Once upon a time, he told me,

all animals on Earth were one.

Even though they look different on the outside,

inside, they're all the same,

and from time to time they would gather

at a sacred cave deep inside the forest

to celebrate their unity.

When they arrived,

they would all take off their skins.

Raven shed his feathers, bear his fur,

and salmon her scales,

and then, they would dance.

But one day, a human made it to the cave

and laughed at what he saw

because he did not understand.

Embarrassed, the animals fled,

and that was the last time

they revealed themselves this way.

The ancient understanding that underneath

their separate identities, all animals are one,

has been a powerful inspiration to me.

I like to get past the fur, the feathers

and the scales.

I want to get under the skin.

No matter whether I'm facing a giant elephant

or a tiny tree frog,

my goal is to connect us with them, eye to eye.

You may wonder, do I ever photograph people?

Sure. People are always present in my photos,

no matter whether they appear

to portray tortoises

or cougars

or lions.

You just have to learn how to look past their disguise.

As a photographer,

I try to reach beyond the differences

in our genetic makeup

to appreciate all we have in common

with every other living thing.

When I use my camera,

I drop my skin

like the animals at that cave

so I can show who they really are.

As animals blessed

with the power of rational thought,

we can marvel at the intricacies of life.

As citizens of a planet in trouble,

it is our moral responsibility

to deal with the dramatic loss in diversity of life.

But as humans with hearts,

we can all rejoice in the unity of life,

and perhaps we can change

what once happened in that sacred cave.

Let's find a way to join the dance.

Thank you.

(Applause)

Phonetic Breakdown of "fur"

Learn how to break down "fur" into its phonetic components. Understanding syllables and phonetics helps with pronunciation, spelling, and language learning.

Standard Phonetic Pronunciation:

/fɜː(ɹ)/

/fɝ/

Phonetic representation based on standard dictionaries

IPA Phonetic Pronunciation:

F ER1

Standard phonetic transcription to help with precise pronunciation

Pronunciation Tips:

Stress the first syllable
Pay attention to vowel sounds
Practice each syllable separately

Spelling Benefits:

Easier to remember spelling
Helps with word recognition
Improves reading fluency

Definition of "fur"

Pronunciation: /fɜː(ɹ)/

Noun

The hairy coat of various mammal species, especially when fine, soft and thick.
The hairy skin of an animal processed into clothing for humans.
A pelt used to make, trim or line clothing apparel.
A coating, lining resembling fur in function and/or appearance.
One of several patterns or diapers used as tinctures.
Rabbits and hares, as opposed to partridges and pheasants (called feathers).
A furry; a member of the furry subculture.
Pubic hair.
Sexual attractiveness.

Verb

To cover with fur or a fur-like coating.
To become covered with fur or a fur-like coating.
To level a surface by applying furring to it.

Synonyms: fur out

Preposition

Towards; in the direction of.

Example: "He was headed for the door when he remembered."
Directed at; intended to belong to.

Example: "I have something for you."
In order to help, benefit, gratify, honor etc. (someone or something).

Example: "Everything I do, I do for you."
To be used or treated in a stated way, or with a stated purpose.

Example: "The cake is for Tom and Helen's anniversary."
Supporting, in favour of.

Example: "All those for the motion raise your hands."

Antonyms: against
Because of.

Example: "He looks better for having lost weight."
Intended to cure, remove or counteract; in order to cure, remove or counteract.

Example: "I need to spray my house for termites."
Over (a period of time).

Example: "I've lived here for three years."
Throughout or across (a distance in space).

Example: "I can see for miles."
Used to introduce a subject within a to-infinitive clause.

Example: "All I want is for you to be happy."
On behalf of.

Example: "I speak for the Prime Minister."
In the role or capacity of; instead of; in place of.

Example: "He's got a turnip for a brain."
In exchange for; in correspondence or equivalence with.

Example: "He matched me blow for blow."
In order to obtain or acquire.

Example: "Can you go to the store for some eggs?"
By the standards of, usually with the implication of those standards being lower than one might otherwise expect.

Example: "Fair for its day."
To be, or as being.

Example: "Don't take me for a fool."
(usually in the phrase 'for all') Despite, in spite of.

Example: "For all his expensive education, he didn't seem very bright."
Indicating something desired or anticipated.

Example: "Ah! for wings to soar …"
(in expressions such as 'for a start') Introducing the first item(s) in a potential sequence.

Example: "Go scuba diving? For one thing, I can't even swim."
(with names) In honor of; after.

Example: "He is named for his grandfather."
Due or facing (a certain outcome or fate).

Example: "He totally screwed up that project. Now he's surely for the sack."
Out of; used to indicate a fraction, a ratio

Example: "In term of base hits, Jones was three for four on the day"
Used as part of a score to indicate the number of wickets that have fallen.

Example: "At close of play, England were 305 for 3."
Indicating that in prevention of which, or through fear of which, anything is done.
Used in various more-or-less idiomatic ways to construe individual verbs, indicating various semantic relationships such as target, purpose, result, etc.; see also the entries for individual phrasal verbs, e.g. ask for, look for, stand for, etc.

Example: "to account for one's whereabouts to care for a relative to settle for second best to allow for mistakes"

Conjunction

Because, as, since.

Example: "I had to stay with my wicked stepmother, for I had nowhere else to go."