Fat
/fæt/
Definitions
3 meaningsHaving an excessive amount of body weight; overweight.
/fæt/
Having an excess of body weight.
The doctor told him that he was a little fat and needed to exercise more.
💡 Simply: Imagine your favorite food is pizza. If you eat a lot of pizza, you might get a little bit fat. It means you have extra weight on your body.
👶 For kids: Having too much body weight.
More Examples
The cat was fat and lazy.
How It's Used
"He is considered fat because he is overweight."
"Doctors often advise people to avoid too much fat in their diet."
A natural oily or greasy substance occurring in animal bodies, especially when deposited as a layer under the skin or around certain organs.
/fæt/
This food is high in fat, so don't eat too much.
💡 Simply: Fat is like the stuff that makes butter and oil. It's in our bodies and in some of the foods we eat. Think of a yummy steak; it has lots of fat.
👶 For kids: A substance in your body, and sometimes in food, that helps give you energy.
More Examples
The animal stores energy in the form of fat.
How It's Used
"Fat provides energy storage in animals."
"The diet was low in fat."
To make or become fat; fatten.
/fæt/
The farmer fattens the pigs before selling them.
💡 Simply: To make someone or something get fatter. Like feeding a pet a lot so they get chubbier.
👶 For kids: To make something get fatter.
More Examples
The rich food is making him fat.
How It's Used
"The farmers fattens the cattle to sell them."
"I'm afraid I'm fattening up with all the holiday treats."
Idioms & expressions
fat chance
An unlikely possibility or occurrence; no chance at all.
""Do you think he'll apologize?" "Fat chance!""
a fat cat
A wealthy person, especially one involved in business or politics.
"The politician was accused of taking bribes from fat cats."
From Old English *fætt* 'fat, greasy', from Proto-Germanic *faitaz*, ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *pē(i)- 'to be fat, swell'.
The word 'fat' has been used for centuries, evolving from its original Germanic roots to describe both physical characteristics and, in more modern times, as a metaphor for wealth or abundance.