English Reference

Word

saturated

Phoneticssat·u·rat·ed, stress on the first syllable

US/ˈsætʃɝˌeɪtɪd/

UK/sˈætʃəɹˌeɪtɪd/

Definitions

01soaked with liquid

B2 · Upper Intermediate

adj. completely wet or soaked through with a liquid.

adj. thoroughly soaked or drenched with moisture; unable to absorb further liquid.

“The heavy rain left the ground so saturated that large puddles formed on the lawn.”

“After the pipes burst, the carpets became so saturated that they had to be completely removed to prevent mould growth.”

Synonyms

Antonyms

02completely full

B2 · Upper Intermediate

adj. filled to the point where no more can be added.

adj. filled to capacity; used figuratively to describe a state where no further input can be accommodated.

“The market is saturated with coffee shops, so it is hard for a new one to succeed.”

“By the end of the decade, the domestic smartphone market was saturated, forcing manufacturers to look for growth in emerging economies.”

Antonyms

03chemical concentration

C1 · Advanced Science Technical

adj. containing the maximum amount of a substance that can be dissolved.

adj. containing the maximum amount of solute that can be dissolved in a solvent at a given temperature and pressure.

“If you keep adding sugar to the cold tea, the liquid will eventually become saturated.”

“The chemist prepared a saturated salt solution to test the rate of crystal growth under controlled laboratory conditions.”

Synonyms

04organic chemistry

C1 · Advanced Science Technical

adj. a type of fat or chemical that has only single bonds between its atoms.

adj. referring to organic compounds, particularly fats, containing only single bonds between carbon atoms and thus holding the maximum number of hydrogen atoms.

“Doctors often recommend eating fewer saturated fats to keep your heart healthy.”

“Saturated fatty acids are typically solid at room temperature, unlike their unsaturated counterparts found in vegetable oils.”

Antonyms

05colour intensity

C1 · Advanced Technical

adj. having a very bright, deep, or strong colour.

adj. possessing a high degree of chroma or purity; free from dilution by white or grey.

“The artist used saturated reds and yellows to make the sunset look more dramatic.”

“The director chose a highly saturated colour palette for the film to evoke a surreal, dreamlike atmosphere.”

Synonyms

Antonyms

palemuteddesaturated

Real-World Examples

“Moreover, protein-fortified packaged foods may come with increased sugar, salt or saturated fats.”
The Conversation 21 Aug 2026
“Bologna or salami, for example, can contain more saturated fat .”
The Conversation 17 Aug 2026

Word family

ADJECTIVE

saturated(B2)

Domains

ChemistryComputingMathematics

This entry

Exam level
CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
Frequency
Frequent
Level
B2 · Upper Intermediate
Updated

QR code

englishreference.com/q/saturated

English Reference