# fattening

/ˈfætənɪŋ/ (US) · /fˈætənɪŋ/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/fattening
Updated: 2026-05-30

## Definition

making someone or something become fat. You use this to describe food that adds weight or the process of making an animal grow larger.

For teachers: causing an increase in body weight or fat. Often used to describe the nutritional impact of food or the intentional growth of livestock.

## Examples

- The doctor warned that eating too much sugar is fattening.
- Before the winter months, the farmer ensures the cattle are on a fattening diet to prepare for the cold.
- While the dessert was undeniably delicious, its high calorie and sugar content made it a fattening choice that the health-conscious guests avoided.

---

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.
