French word

fur

Pronunciation

IPA/fyʁ/

Meaning

  • masculine noungradually

Example

On a résolu les problèmes au fur et à mesure.

We solved the problems gradually.

Illustration for fur (gradually)

More examples

Au fur et à mesure des années, il a appris à maîtriser son instrument.

As the years went by, he learned to master his instrument.

Core concept

A process moving through successive stages, with each stage appearing as the previous one unfolds.

Common phrases

  • au fur et à mesure des années

    as the years go by

Similar words

changement: A change from one state or condition to another.
progrès: Forward movement or improvement over time.
développement: The gradual growth of a plan or undertaking over time.
déroulement: The way an event or procedure progresses over time.

Definition in French

Employé principalement dans la locution adverbiale « au fur et à mesure » pour exprimer que quelque chose avance progressivement au fil du temps ou des actions.

Word origin

The noun fur comes from Old French feur, meaning rate or proportion, and survives chiefly in au fur et à mesure.

Usage tips

  • The usual pattern is au fur et à mesure que plus a clause, while au fur et à mesure de plus a noun phrase is also standard.

Word lists with this word