fat
13 synonyms and 0 antonyms for fat, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — A soft, greasy substance stored in the body (or found in food) that provides energy.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use fat
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Old English fǣtt, related to Proto-Germanic words for "fattened" or "stuffed".
Full origin of fat →Frequently asked questions
What does “fat” mean?
The word “fat” means a soft, greasy substance stored in the body (or found in food) that provides energy. In plain terms, either the greasy substance in food and bodies, or (as an adjective) carrying a lot of body weight.
How do you pronounce “fat”?
“Fat” is pronounced FAT (/ˈfæt/ in IPA).
How do you use “fat” in a sentence?
Here is “fat” used in a sentence: “Trim the fat off the steak before you cook it.”
What is another word for “fat”?
Words with a similar meaning to “fat” include fatso see also Thesaurus:fat person, blubber, flab, speck, weight and adipose tissue.
What part of speech is “fat”?
Depending on how it is used, “fat” can be a noun and an adjective.
Where does the word “fat” come from?
The word “fat” comes from Old English. From Old English fǣtt, related to Proto-Germanic words for "fattened" or "stuffed".
Is “fat” a common word?
“Fat” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
How many meanings does “fat” have?
“Fat” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a soft, greasy substance stored in the body (or found in food) that provides energy.
What are the types of fat?
In food, the main types are saturated fat, unsaturated fat, and trans fat. Saturated and trans fats are usually considered less healthy, while unsaturated fats — found in nuts, fish, and olive oil — are generally beneficial. In the body, fat is stored as adipose tissue, which cushions organs and reserves energy.
Is fat good or bad for you?
Fat is essential, not simply bad. The body needs it to store energy, absorb certain vitamins, protect organs, and build cells. The real concern is quantity and type: too much, or too much of the wrong kind, can harm health. Unsaturated fats support the body, while trans fats are best avoided.
What is the difference between fat and oil?
Chemically they are close relatives, both fats. The everyday distinction is physical state at room temperature: fat is solid or semi-solid, like butter or lard, while oil is liquid, like olive or sunflower oil. Oils tend to be unsaturated, whereas solid fats are more often saturated.