# phat

/fˈæt/ (UK) · CEFR C2 · Adjective

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/phat
Updated: 2026-05-26

## Definition

a slang word for something that is very cool, impressive, or high quality. It is an old way of saying 'fat' that people used in music and street culture.

For teachers: a slang term denoting something of high quality, impressive, or stylish. Derived from the phonetic spelling of 'fat', it was popularised in 1990s hip-hop culture and is now largely archaic.

## Examples

- That new track is phat.
- The rapper's lyrics were phat, showing a deep understanding of the city's history and culture.
- While the term has largely faded from mainstream usage, its influence remains visible in the way modern artists describe their production quality as 'phat' or 'thick'.

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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.