Ask Difference

Furry vs. Yiff — What's the Difference?

By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on October 19, 2023
"Furry" refers to anthropomorphic animal characters or enthusiasts of such content, while "Yiff" is adult-themed content within the furry community.

Difference Between Furry and Yiff

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Key Differences

Just as not every comic book reader is interested in mature graphic novels, not every furry enthusiast is into "Yiff." It's essential to understand the distinction: while all "Yiff" content is "Furry," not all "Furry" content is "Yiff."
Tayyaba Rehman
Oct 19, 2023
"Furry" and "Yiff" are both terms associated with the furry fandom, but they refer to distinct aspects of the subculture. "Furry" predominantly describes anthropomorphic animal characters with human-like traits. These can be anything from cartoon characters to elaborate costumes worn by enthusiasts. On the other hand, "Yiff" specifically denotes adult or erotic content related to furries.
Tayyaba Rehman
Oct 19, 2023
The furry fandom, where the term "Furry" originates, is an inclusive community where participants share an appreciation for anthropomorphic art, literature, and other forms of media. Some people identify so deeply with the subculture that they consider themselves "furries," often creating fursonas or furry personas to represent their alter egos. In contrast, "Yiff" represents a niche within the broader furry landscape, focusing on mature content.
Tayyaba Rehman
Oct 19, 2023
Not all furries are interested in "Yiff" content. While "Furry" encompasses a broad spectrum of interests from innocent, family-friendly content to mature themes, "Yiff" is strictly for adults. It's a term that's used to categorize explicit artwork, stories, or other media within the furry domain.
Tayyaba Rehman
Oct 19, 2023

Comparison Chart

Definition

Anthropomorphic animal characters
Adult-themed furry content
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Oct 19, 2023
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Context

Broad spectrum of the furry fandom
Niche, mature section of the furry fandom
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Association

Can be general or specific within the furry world
Always explicit or erotic
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Audience

All ages, depending on content
Strictly adults
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Representation

Comics, art, literature, costumes, conventions
Explicit art, stories, media
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Definitions

Furry

An event or gathering related to the furry subculture.
The furry convention attracted many participants.
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Yiff

Adult-themed furry media or merchandise.
There was a separate section for yiff merchandise at the store.
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Oct 19, 2023

Furry

A fictional character that has human and animal traits.
His favorite furry character is a wolf with glasses.
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Oct 19, 2023

Yiff

Erotic content related to anthropomorphic animals.
He stumbled upon yiff artwork online.
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Oct 19, 2023

Furry

Consisting of or similar to fur.
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Yiff

The sound sometimes used to signify arousal in the furry lexicon.
The character made a yiff noise in the comic.
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Oct 19, 2023

Furry

Covered with, wearing, or trimmed with fur.
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Yiff

Intimate interaction with a furry context.
They engaged in yiff roleplay.
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Furry

Covered with a furlike substance.
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Feb 28, 2019

Yiff

Explicit furry art or literature.
She was shocked by the yiff content she found.
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Oct 19, 2023

Furry

Having a furlike quality, as in tone; fuzzy
A furry voice.
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Feb 28, 2019

Yiff

To express happiness, to state that something is sexy.
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Furry

Covered with fur, or with something resembling fur.
His treatment of our furry friends was nothing short of appalling.
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Feb 28, 2019

Yiff

Sex, especially between furries (fictional anthropomorphic animal characters, and/or members of the community surrounding their celebration).
"FurryMuck yiffs are like real-life yiffs - there is a time and place for everything." — [http://groups-beta.google.com/group/alt.fan.furry/msg/4e094a46fba477cd]
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Feb 28, 2019

Furry

(informal) Of or related to the furry subculture.
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Yiff

To have sex, to mate (said of animals, especially foxes, or people dressed up as animals).
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Feb 28, 2019

Furry

An animal character with human-like characteristics; most commonly refers to such characters created by members of the furry subculture.
What percentage of furries are wolves?
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Yiff

Representing the bark of a fox (especially while mating).
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Furry

A member of the furry fandom.
The furry had designed an elaborate costume.
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Yiff

Pornography of or involving furries.
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Furry

Someone who roleplays or identifies with a furry character. (Compare therianthrope.)
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Feb 28, 2019

Yiff

To propose cybersex to someone.
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Furry

Covered with fur; dressed in fur.
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Feb 28, 2019

Furry

Consisting of fur; as, furry spoils.
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Furry

Resembling fur.
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Furry

Covered with a dense coat of fine silky hairs;
Furred animals
A furry teddy bear
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Feb 28, 2019

Furry

Relating to anthropomorphic animals.
She enjoyed the furry comic series.
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Oct 19, 2023

Furry

A person who identifies with the furry fandom.
Mike is a proud furry and attends conventions.
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Furry

Pertaining to or resembling fur.
The furry texture of the coat was soft.
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Oct 19, 2023

FAQs

Can "furry" also refer to a texture?

Yes, "furry" can describe something covered in fur or resembling fur.
Tayyaba Rehman
Oct 19, 2023

Is yiff always explicit?

Yes, yiff refers to the adult or erotic side of the furry fandom.
Tayyaba Rehman
Oct 19, 2023

Are all furries interested in yiff content?

No, not all furries are interested in or engage with yiff content.
Tayyaba Rehman
Oct 19, 2023

Are all furries costume wearers?

No, while many furries enjoy wearing costumes, not all do.
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Oct 19, 2023

What's a fursona?

It's a furry persona or alter ego that someone creates within the furry community.
Tayyaba Rehman
Oct 19, 2023

Are there furry conventions?

Yes, there are conventions where furries gather, showcase art, and socialize.
Tayyaba Rehman
Oct 19, 2023

Is all furry art yiff?

No, many furry artworks are general and non-explicit.
Tayyaba Rehman
Oct 19, 2023

Is yiff limited to visual art?

No, yiff can be found in stories, roleplays, and other media forms.
Tayyaba Rehman
Oct 19, 2023

How did the term "yiff" originate?

The exact origins are debated, but it's rooted in the furry fandom's lexicon and signifies adult themes.
Tayyaba Rehman
Oct 19, 2023

Is yiff content suitable for children?

No, yiff is explicitly adult-themed and not appropriate for minors.
Tayyaba Rehman
Oct 19, 2023

What's the main difference between furry and yiff?

While "furry" broadly relates to anthropomorphic animals, "yiff" is the adult-themed subset.
Tayyaba Rehman
Oct 19, 2023

Can one be a furry without engaging in the fandom?

Yes, someone can appreciate furry content without actively participating in the community.
Tayyaba Rehman
Oct 19, 2023

Is yiff a newer term in the furry community?

Yiff has been a term within the furry community for quite some time, denoting its adult content.
Tayyaba Rehman
Oct 19, 2023

Are there non-adult furry communities?

Yes, many furry communities focus on family-friendly content and activities.
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Oct 19, 2023

Can yiff content be found at furry conventions?

Some conventions have sections for adult content, but they're strictly separated and age-restricted.
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Oct 19, 2023

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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