fat
Americanadjective
-
fatter,
comparative
-
fattest
superlative
-
having too much flabby tissue; corpulent; obese.
a fat person.
- Antonyms:
- thin
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plump; well-fed.
a good, fat chicken.
-
consisting of or containing fat; greasy; oily.
fat gravy; fat meat.
- Antonyms:
- lean
-
profitable, as an office.
a fat job on the city commission.
- Synonyms:
- remunerative, lucrative
-
affording good opportunities, especially for gain.
a fat business contract.
-
wealthy; prosperous; rich.
He grew fat on dishonest profits.
-
big, broad, or extended; thick.
a fat sheaf of bills.
-
plentiful; abundant.
a fat supply of food.
- Synonyms:
- copious
-
plentifully supplied.
a fat larder; a fat feast.
-
dull; stupid.
fat clumsiness of manner.
- Synonyms:
- sluggish
- Antonyms:
- clever
-
abounding in a particular element.
Fat pine is rich in resin.
-
(of paint) having more oil than pigment.
-
(of coal) highly bituminous; rich in volatile hydrocarbons.
-
Ceramics. long.
-
fertile, as land.
Everything grows in this fat soil.
- Synonyms:
- productive, fruitful, rich
noun
-
fats
plural
-
any of several white or yellowish greasy substances, forming the chief part of adipose tissue of animals and also occurring in plants, that when pure are colorless, odorless, and tasteless and are either solid or liquid esters of glycerol with fatty acids; fats are insoluble in water or cold alcohol but soluble in ether, chloroform, or benzene: used in the manufacture of soap, paints, and other protective coatings and in cooking.
-
animal tissue containing much of this substance; loose flesh; flabbiness.
to have rolls of fat around one's waist.
-
the richest or best part of anything.
-
obesity; corpulence.
In his later years, he inclined to fat.
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Slang. especially profitable or advantageous work.
-
an overabundance or excess; superfluity.
-
action or lines in a dramatic part that permit an actor to display abilities.
-
Also called lift. Typesetting. Also matter that can be composed easily and profitably, especially from standing type, illustrations, or the like.
fat work.
verb (used with or without object)
-
fats,
present (3rd person singular)
-
fatted,
past participle, past
-
fatting
present participle
idioms
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chew the fat. chew.
-
the fat of the land, the best or richest of anything obtainable.
to live on the fat of the land.
-
a fat chance, a very slight chance; small probability.
A fat chance he has of winning the title!
-
the fat is in the fire,
-
an irrevocable action or chain of events has been started; the die is cast.
Now that they have been given an ultimatum, the fat is in the fire.
-
the decision, whether good or bad, has been made.
-
the crisis is imminent.
-
-
a fat lot, little or not at all.
A fat lot they care about anyone else's troubles!
noun
-
any of a class of naturally occurring soft greasy solids that are esters of glycerol and certain fatty acids. They are present in some plants and in the adipose tissue of animals, forming a reserve energy source, and are used in making soap and paint and in the food industry See also oil
-
vegetable or animal tissue containing fat
-
corpulence, obesity, or plumpness
-
the best or richest part of something
-
a part in a play that gives an actor a good opportunity to show his talents
-
slang
-
to argue over a point
-
to talk idly; gossip
-
-
an irrevocable action has been taken, esp one from which dire consequences are expected
-
the best that is obtainable
adjective
-
having much or too much flesh or fat
-
consisting of or containing fat; greasy
fat pork
-
profitable; lucrative
a fat year
-
affording great opportunities
a fat part in the play
-
fertile or productive
a fat land
-
thick, broad, or extended
a fat log of wood
-
having a high content of a particular material or ingredient, such as resin in wood or oil in paint
-
plentifully supplied
a fat larder
-
slang empty; stupid
get this into your fat head
-
slang very little or none; minimal (in phrases such as a fat chance , a fat lot of good , etc)
verb
-
Any of a large number of oily compounds that are widely found in plant and animal tissues and serve mainly as a reserve source of energy. In mammals, fat, or adipose tissue, is deposited beneath the skin and around the internal organs, where it also protects and insulates against heat loss. Fat is a necessary, efficient source of energy. An ounce of fat contains more than twice as much stored energy as does an ounce of protein or carbohydrates and is digested more slowly, resulting in the sensation of satiety after eating. It also enhances the taste, aroma, and texture of food. Fats are made chiefly of triglycerides, each molecule of which contains three fatty acids. Dietary fat supplies humans with essential fatty acids, such as linoleic acid and linolenic acid. Fat also regulates cholesterol metabolism and is a precursor of prostaglandins.
-
See more at saturated fat unsaturated fat
Usage
What is a basic definition of fat? Fat is commonly used as a way to describe someone as obese or overweight. This is most often used in a critical, judgmental, or mean way. In contrast, words like obese and overweight are more often used in a neutral way, such as in a medical context in the discussion of a person’s health (though they too can be used in a judgmental or mean way). This sense of fat isn’t always used in a negative way. Some people might call others or themselves fat in a way that’s not intended to be critical, as in I’m fat and I’m fabulous and all the body-shamers will just have to deal with it. Sometimes, people replace the word fat with words intended to be more polite or euphemistic, such as heavy, heavyset, plump, and chubby. However, these words still focus on a person’s weight or appearance in a way that can be demeaning or objectifying. As a noun, fat refers to the greasy substance that forms some types of tissue in the body of humans and animals (some of which the body stores and uses for energy) and some plants. The word is often used more casually to refer to a person’s excess flesh, as in belly fat. In the context of nutrition, fat refers to this kind of substance in the foods we eat. Foods from animals, such as meat, milk, and eggs, all contain fat. But so do some plant-based foods, such as nuts, avocados, and olive oil. However, there are different kinds of fat, such as saturated fat, unsaturated fat, and trans-fat, each of which can have different effects on a person’s nutrition and health. In general, it’s usually recommended not to consume too much fat. However, some fats are necessary in a diet because they help the body to absorb vitamins. The nutrition label on food products usually tell you exactly how much fat and what kinds of fats are in them. The word fat is common and has many other meanings as an adjective, a noun, and even a verb. Example: This diet is based on avoiding foods that are high in fat.
Synonym Usage
See stout.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
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fatnessnoun
-
defatverb (used with object)
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fatlessadjective
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fatlikeadjective
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fattishadjective
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overfatadjective
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unfattedadjective
-
fatlyadverb
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Adjectives
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
-
fatsimple
-
fatssimple
-
have fattedperfect
-
has fattedperfect
-
am fattingprogressive
-
are fattingprogressive
-
is fattingprogressive
-
have been fattingperfect progressive
-
has been fattingperfect progressive
Past
-
fattedsimple
-
had fattedperfect
-
was fattingprogressive
-
were fattingprogressive
-
had been fattingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of fat
First recorded before 1000; Middle English; Old English fǣtt, originally the past participle of fǣtan “to cram, load, adorn”; cognate with Gothic fētjan “to adorn”; akin to vat
Explanation
Fat is a form of body tissue on animals. It’s a squishy layer that stores energy and protects organs. Fat is also an adjective meaning chubby or thick, as in a fat piglet or a fat wallet full of money. Some foods, like butter or avocado, have fat. Deep fried chocolate bars have a lot of fat. Humans, and other animals, need to consume some fat to maintain optimal health and absorb certain vitamins. The word fat can be applied not just to people, animals, or deep-fried food, but to any inanimate object that is notably big. Your brother likes reading comics, while you prefer fat books like War and Peace and The Complete Works of Shakespeare.
Vocabulary lists containing fat
Nutrition - Introductory
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Nutrition - Middle School
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Nutrition - High School
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
On social media, influencers and fitness experts garner millions of views and likes on videos blaming cortisol for an array of concerns from belly fat to hair loss to “moon face.”
From Slate ● Oct. 9, 2026
While we tend to think that carbs promote fat storage, Whitson said that when leveraged correctly, this isn’t true.
From Slate ● Oct. 9, 2026
Gym rats can check their body composition of fat and muscle, people with heart issues can get their heartbeat captured, and mole owners can get their moles mapped to 0.1 mm.
From Slate ● Oct. 8, 2026
That finding suggests that the body may become less inclined to store calories from food as fat.
From Science Daily ● Oct. 8, 2026
We were given rations of four ounces of bread a day, a pound of fat or sugar per month.
From "Not Nothing" by Gayle Forman
The results showed no meaningful differences in blood lipid levels between those consuming dairy foods with higher levels of natural trans fats and those consuming regular dairy products.
From Science Daily ● Oct. 8, 2026
Industrial trans fats, which can be present in some processed and fried foods, have been strongly linked to an increased risk of heart disease.
From Science Daily ● Oct. 8, 2026
Trans fats are a type of unsaturated fat.
From Science Daily ● Oct. 8, 2026
The first-of-its-kind research, published in the journal Nutrition Research, could also help consumers better understand the distinction between different types of trans fats and provide greater clarity around labeling policies that may contribute to confusion.
From Science Daily ● Oct. 8, 2026
Now researchers think these hydrogenated trans fats in margarine are actually worse for our hearts than butter.
From "The Omnivore's Dilemma" by Michael Pollan
Retailers like private-label products because they allow the chains to undercut competitors on price, control production and advertising costs, and deliver fatter margins, retail analysts say.
From MarketWatch ● Sep. 16, 2026
Campbell says they "played around" with how much the ball was blown up, adding: "In previous weeks it was actually a bit fatter, and then this week it definitely feels smaller."
From BBC ● Sep. 7, 2026
I never became “unrecognizable,” and I spent more time than I’d like to admit looking at myself in the mirror and comparing what I saw to photos of the younger, fatter version of myself.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 12, 2026
Having largely abandoned budget cars years ago, Detroit’s Big Three now rely heavily on expensive SUVs and pickup trucks that deliver fatter profits.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 29, 2026
He had grown fatter since they released him, and had regained his old color—indeed, more than regained it.
From "1984" by George Orwell
Though at least he wasn’t mindlessly competing with the lab next door for the fattest IPO.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 8, 2026
“It’s the early Christian that gets the fattest lion.”
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 24, 2026
“America has now become the fattest nation in the world. Congratulations,” a voice narrates.
From New York Times ● May 12, 2024
And second, Sgr A* isn't even the fattest hole we've seen.
From Salon ● Mar. 28, 2024
But after five minutes of pinching my skin and studying every angle in the reflection, I see the fattest person in the world.
From "Starfish" by Akemi Dawn Bowman
Finally, with the infrastructure in place and the new money flowing, the Dodgers then opened their fatted wallet for the players that created the championship.
From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 4, 2024
Mistakes were made: Thomson fatted a pitch at the 13th and lost the hole, and Watson gave it right back after pushing his drive badly at the 14th.
From Golf Digest ● Mar. 20, 2019
“The Ranch” is a prodigal-son story, complete with fatted calves.
From New York Times ● Mar. 31, 2016
Overfull, teaming, something fatted and overfed, like livestock.”
From Slate ● Sep. 20, 2015
I could tell he had not considered the possibility that all the fatted ships he had traveled so far to plunder might be at the bottom of the sea by the time he got there.
From "The Many Assassinations of Samir, the Seller of Dreams" by Daniel Nayeri
"I had three weeks off after the US Open and you probably saw a little bit on Thursday I was fatting a few shots," said Hatton.
From BBC ● Jul. 14, 2023
Even when steep swingers hit it solid, they take deep divots—they're always on the verge of fatting it.
From Golf Digest ● Mar. 13, 2017
No food short of that of a fatting hog will enable her to keep her pigs alive; and this she must have for ten weeks, and that at a great expense.
From Cottage Economy To Which Is Added The Poor Man's Friend by William Cobbett
The two most certain indications that a lot of fatting pigs are thriving is to find that they are asleep and that their feeding troughs are empty.
From The Pig Breeding, Rearing, and Marketing by Sanders Spencer
I have now to speak of the time of purchasing, the manner of keeping, of fatting, killing, and curing; but these I must reserve till my next Number.
From Cottage Economy To Which Is Added The Poor Man's Friend by William Cobbett
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
