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fat
/fæt/
When used as an adjective for people, the word carries a heavy social and emotional charge. It is often perceived as blunt, critical, or offensive, unlike softer alternatives such as 'overweight' or 'plump'.
In a biological or culinary context (as a noun), it is neutral and descriptive, referring to energy storage in animals or an ingredient in cooking.
There is a distinct contrast between the negative connotation of physical appearance and the positive connotation of wealth or abundance found in certain idiomatic expressions.
Uncountable when referring to the greasy substance in general or as a nutrient ('saturated fat'). Countable when referring to specific deposits of adipose tissue on a body ('the pockets of fat around the waist').
💬Casual Conversation
This file is way too fat. It'll crash the site.
Just lean into it and optimize the bandwidth, Sarah.
Meanings
Examples
The fat cat slept on the sofa all afternoon.
Trim the excess fat from the steak before cooking it.
They tried to fat the livestock quickly before the market opened.