obese
5 synonyms and 6 antonyms for obese, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adjective — Very overweight, to a degree that is unhealthy.
Synonyms
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.
Antonyms
How to use obese
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
clinically obese
obese patient
morbidly obese
A clinical/medical term rather than an everyday casual one — "overweight" or "heavy" sound less harsh in conversation.
Etymology
From Latin obesus, "having eaten one's way to fatness" — from ob- ("away") + edere ("to eat").
Full origin of obese →Frequently asked questions
What does “obese” mean?
The word “obese” means very overweight, to a degree that is unhealthy. In plain terms, seriously overweight, more than just "a bit heavy.".
How do you pronounce “obese”?
“Obese” is pronounced oh-BEES (/oʊˈbis/ in IPA).
How do you use “obese” in a sentence?
Here is “obese” used in a sentence: “The doctor warned him that he was clinically obese and at risk of heart disease.”
What is the opposite of “obese”?
The opposite of “obese” — its antonyms — are scrawny, thin, emaciated, anorexic and starved.
What part of speech is “obese”?
“Obese” is an adjective.
Where does the word “obese” come from?
The word “obese” comes from Latin. From Latin obesus, "having eaten one's way to fatness" — from ob- ("away") + edere ("to eat").
Is “obese” a common word?
“Obese” is an uncommon word in modern English.
What is the difference between obese and overweight?
Overweight generally describes carrying more body weight than is considered healthy, while obese describes a more severe degree of excess weight that poses a greater health risk. Obese is a stronger clinical term, whereas overweight can describe a lesser or borderline condition.
Is obese a clinical or medical term?
Yes, obese is commonly used in medical and health contexts to describe a state of being very overweight to a degree that is unhealthy. It is often paired with measurements such as body mass index (BMI) in clinical assessments.
Is it polite to call someone obese?
Obese is a clinical, factual term used mainly in medical and health discussions, but it can sound blunt or insensitive in casual conversation about a specific person. Many people prefer more neutral or sensitive language when discussing an individual's weight outside of a medical setting.
