fat
FAT
Fat (noun) means a soft, greasy substance stored in the body (or found in food) that provides energy. Example: “Butter is mostly fat, so use it sparingly in this recipe.”
noun
1
A soft, greasy substance stored in the body (or found in food) that provides energy.
"Butter is mostly fat, so use it sparingly in this recipe."
"Trim the fat off the steak before you cook it."
"Regular exercise helps the body burn fat."
2
The most valuable or wasteful part of something, as in "trim the fat" from a budget.
"We need to cut the fat from this report and keep only the key points."
"Cutting the fat from the schedule saved the team several hours each week."
"The new manager cut the fat from the department's spending."
adj
1
Having a large amount of body fat; overweight.
"Their fat labrador struggled to climb the stairs without panting."
"He felt fat after the holidays and decided to walk more."
"The vet said the cat had become quite fat over the winter."
How to use fat
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither the greasy substance in food and bodies, or (as an adjective) carrying a lot of body weight.
Common mistake
Calling a person "fat" is usually considered blunt or rude in everyday speech; "overweight" or "heavy-set" are gentler alternatives.
Common pairings
trim the fat
fat content
saturated fat
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Word forms
- Plural
- fats
- Third person singular
- fats
- Past tense
- fatted
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Butter is mostly _____, so use it sparingly in this recipe.
Etymology
From Old English fǣtt, related to Proto-Germanic words for "fattened" or "stuffed".
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
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.
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