# fat

/ˈfæt/ (US) · /fˈæt/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/fat
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. biological substance

noun · CEFR A2

a natural oily substance found in the bodies of people and animals.

For teachers: a specialized animal tissue with high lipid content used for energy storage and insulation.

- Whales have a thick layer of fat to keep them warm in cold water.
- The body stores excess calories as adipose tissue, commonly known as fat, to serve as a metabolic reserve during periods of food scarcity.

### 2. cooking ingredient

noun · CEFR A2

oil, butter, or lard used in cooking.

For teachers: any of various solid or liquid ester compounds used as a medium for heat transfer or as a nutritional component in food preparation.

- You should drain the excess fat from the pan before adding the vegetables.
- The chef recommended using animal fat rather than vegetable oil to achieve a more authentic flavour profile in the traditional pastry.

### 4. body size

adjective · CEFR A1 · Informal

having a lot of extra flesh on the body.

For teachers: carrying a significant amount of excess body fat; often carries a derogatory or informal register depending on context.

- The cat grew fat because it spent all day sleeping and eating.
- The doctor advised the patient that being clinically fat increased the risk of developing cardiovascular complications later in life.

### 5. thick or large

adjective · CEFR B1

thick, wide, or containing a lot of something.

For teachers: notably thick in diameter or substantial in volume.

- He used a fat permanent marker to write the sign.
- The executive received a fat bonus at the end of the fiscal year due to the company's record-breaking profits.

### 6. rich sound

adjective · CEFR C1 · Informal · Technical

having a full, deep, and powerful sound.

For teachers: characterised by a rich, full-bodied timbre with prominent low-frequency resonance.

- The producer wanted a fat bass sound for the new dance track.
- By layering multiple oscillators, the synthesist created a fat lead tone that cut through the dense arrangement of the rock anthem.

### 7. to hit the ground first

verb · CEFR C2 · Technical

to hit the ground with your club before hitting the ball.

For teachers: to strike the turf behind the ball during a swing, resulting in a poor shot with reduced distance.

- I fatted my iron shot and the ball only went half the distance.
- The amateur golfer tended to fat his wedge shots whenever he played from a soft, damp lie.

## Examples

- You should trim the fat off the meat before cooking it.
- Avocados are a great source of healthy fat and provide lasting energy throughout the day.
- The body stores excess calories as fat in adipose tissue, which acts as both an energy reserve and a thermal insulator against the cold.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.