adjective

phat

fat

Phat (adjective) means (slang) Excellent, impressive, or very good. Example: “That new track has a phat bassline.”

adjective

(slang) Excellent, impressive, or very good.

"That new track has a phat bassline."

"He rolled up in a phat new car."

How to use phat

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishSlang for "excellent" or "cool," popularized in hip-hop culture from the 1990s onward.

Common mistake

Don't confuse with the ordinary adjective "fat," which just means overweight or thick.

When to use it

Very informal and now somewhat dated slang — mostly associated with 1990s hip-hop culture.

Easily confused with

fat →

Word forms

phatter comparative, phattest superlative

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Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

That new track has a _____ bassline.

Etymology

Slang from African American Vernacular English, deliberately spelled to look distinct from the ordinary word "fat" even though it grew out of the same word.

Rhymes for phat

hat what that chat shat

See all rhymes for phat →

Frequently asked questions

What does “phat” mean?

The word “phat” means (slang) Excellent, impressive, or very good. In plain terms, slang for "excellent" or "cool," popularized in hip-hop culture from the 1990s onward.

How do you pronounce “phat”?

“Phat” is pronounced fat (/fæt/ in IPA).

How do you use “phat” in a sentence?

Here is “phat” used in a sentence: “That new track has a phat bassline.”

What part of speech is “phat”?

“Phat” is an adjective.