# fats

/ˈfæts/ (US) · /fˈæts/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/fats
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. nutritional types

noun · CEFR B1

different types of oily substances found in food, like butter or oil, that your body uses for energy.

For teachers: various types of lipids or oily substances found in animal and plant tissues, especially when categorised by their chemical structure in nutrition.

- Healthy fats like those found in avocados are good for your heart.
- The nutritionist explained the difference between saturated and unsaturated fats, emphasizing that the latter are essential for maintaining healthy cholesterol levels.

Usage: Often used as a plural noun when discussing different categories like 'saturated' or 'unsaturated' fats.

### 2. body tissue

noun · CEFR B2

the oily parts of a person's or animal's body.

For teachers: the pluralised reference to adipose tissue or oily deposits within a biological organism.

- The chef trimmed the excess fats from the meat before cooking it.
- The study examined how different animal fats react when exposed to high temperatures during the rendering process.

Usage: Usually refers to the physical substance rather than the abstract concept of weight.

## Examples

- Avocados are a great source of healthy fats.
- The nutritionist explained that some fats are essential for brain health while others should be limited.
- While the body requires certain unsaturated fats for hormone production, a diet excessively high in saturated lipids can lead to cardiovascular complications over time.

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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.