fatfat1 /fæt/ ●●● S1 W2 adjective (comparative fatter, superlative fattest) 
Are you suggesting I’m too fat? a short fat man in his early fifties You’ll get fat if you eat all that chocolate. He looks much fatter than in his photo.2object thick or wide OPP thin: Dobbs was smoking a fat cigar. a big fat book3money [only before noun] informal containing or worth a large amount of money: a fat cheque Of course the supermarkets’ aim is to make fat profits.4fat chance informal used to say that something is very unlikely to happenfat of ‘You can go to bed now and sleep easy.’ ‘Fat chance of that!’5(a) fat lot of good/use spoken not at all useful or helpful: Fat lot of use you are in the kitchen.6fat cat informal someone who has too much money, especially someone who is paid too much for their job – used to show disapproval: the fat cats at the top who have recently been given obscene pay increases7in fat city American English old-fashioned having plenty of money8grow fat on something to become rich because of something – used to show disapproval: The finance men had grown fat on managing other people’s money.9a fat lip informal a lip that is swollen because it has been hit: My friend was badly injured with bruised ribs and a fat lip.10approval informal another spelling of phat – used to show approval, especially of someone or something that is fashionable, interesting, or attractivefat/phat beats (=music that sounds good) Check out these fat beats.—fatness noun [uncountable]: a rise in fatness in childrenTHESAURUSfat having too much flesh on your body. It is rude to tell someone that they are fat. It is also better not to use any of these words when talking directly to someone about their body: · She thinks she’s fat.· He looks the same, just a little fatter.overweight weighing more than you should: · Many medical conditions are caused by being overweight.· She was several kilos overweight.big/large used when saying that someone has a big body. Large is more common than big in written English: · My father was a big man.· two large ladiesobese extremely fat in a way that is dangerous to your health: · He went to a summer camp for obese teenagers.chubby slightly fat in a nice-looking way – used especially about babies and children: · A chubby little baby was playing on the rug.plump a woman or child who is plump is slightly fat, especially in a pleasant way: · Her mother was a plump cheerful woman.flabby having soft loose skin that looks unattractive: · a flabby stomach· Her body was getting old and flabby.portly literary fat and round – used especially about fairly old men: · The bishop was a portly middle-aged gentleman.
WORD ORIGINfat1
Origin:
Old English fættEXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- fat red plastic earrings
- A tall man was smoking a fat cigar.
- After thirty years, Teddy looked just the same, only a little fatter.
- He's short and fat.
- He left the waitress a nice fat tip.
- He pulled out a fat wallet stuffed with banknotes.
- I'm getting too fat for my clothes.
- I always look so fat in pictures.
- Most fat people simply eat too much by normal standards.
- My stomach's much fatter than yours.
- Peter was a fat little boy.
- Sally hates going swimming -- she thinks her legs are too fat.
- The children's fat Christmas stockings bulged with surprises.
- The colonel rubbed his fat stomach, reaching for something from the table to put into his mouth.
- There was a nice fat letter waiting for him the next morning.
- Though she weighed only six stone, she thought she was fat.
- Remember that old joke: In every fat person there is a thin one trying to get out.
- The fat man over to his right had leaned down to the floor.
THESAURUS
having too much flesh on your body. It is rude to tell someone that they are fat. It is also better not to use any of these words when talking directly to someone about their body: · She thinks she’s fat.· He looks the same, just a little fatter.
weighing more than you should: · Many medical conditions are caused by being overweight.· She was several kilos overweight.
used when saying that someone has a big body. Large is more common than big in written English: · My father was a big man.· two large ladies
extremely fat in a way that is dangerous to your health: · He went to a summer camp for obese teenagers.
slightly fat in a nice-looking way – used especially about babies and children: · A chubby little baby was playing on the rug.
a woman or child who is plump is slightly fat, especially in a pleasant way: · Her mother was a plump cheerful woman.
having soft loose skin that looks unattractive: · a flabby stomach· Her body was getting old and flabby.
literary fat and round – used especially about fairly old men: · The bishop was a portly middle-aged gentleman.
Longman Language Activatorwords for describing someone who is fat having too much flesh on your body. It is rude to tell someone that they are fat: · Peter was a fat little boy.· I'm getting too fat for my clothes.· After thirty years, Teddy looked just the same, only a little fatter.· Most fat people simply eat too much by normal standards.· Though she weighed only six stone, she thought she was fat.
too fat, especially so that you need to lose some weight in order to be more healthy or attractive: · The doctor said I was slightly overweight and that I needed more exercise.· The majority of overweight people who diet tend to gain the weight back within a few years.5 kilos/10 pounds etc overweight: · My mother is about 50 pounds overweight.grossly overweight (=extremely overweight): · People who are grossly overweight are more likely to suffer from high blood pressure.
fat - use this especially when you do not want to say 'fat' because it would be impolite: · Even though she's big, Rosemary is an attractive woman.· It's often difficult for large people to find fashionable clothes that fit them.· Mrs. Medlock is a large woman, with a very red face and bright black eyes.· He runs quite fast for a big man.
fat, especially in a pleasant and attractive way: · Stevie is a plump healthy-looking child.· Frieda's mother was a plump, cheerful woman, quick with a laugh. · He's a little on the plump side, but nevertheless quite handsome.
someone, especially a small child, who is chubby , is fat in a pleasant, healthy-looking way: · The baby was pink and chubby.· Who's that chubby little girl with the dark hair?
someone, especially a fairly old man, who is portly is fat and round - used especially in literature: · The bishop was a dignified, portly man, with thinning white hair.· the portly figure of General von Hindenburg
big and fat, but also tall and strong: · Both of Myra's sons were hefty, energetic boys.· The mechanic was a big hefty man who could lift up the front of a truck with his bare hands.
strong but also a little fat and unattractive: · The second prisoner was a fat-faced beefy fellow who smelled of sweat.· Amanda and Tina were both beefy, sporty types.
a burly man is big, strong, and heavy, in a way that may make you feel nervous: · The farmer was a big, burly man with a red face.
spoken informal also lard ass American spoken a rude word used for a fat person: · Hey! Fatso! Pull up a couple of chairs!
extremely fat extremely fat in a way that is dangerous to your health: · Glenda is not just fat, she's obese. · a special summer camp for obese children and teensclinically obese (=obese according to medical measurements): · He may not be clinically obese, but he certainly needs to lose a lot of weight.
the condition of being too fat in a way that is dangerous to your health - used especially in medical contexts: · Obesity can lead to heart disorders and other health problems.· The program is aimed at reducing obesity among women.
fat and not very tall someone, especially a woman or child, who is dumpy , is short and fat: · Clara was a plain, dumpy woman, several years older than her husband.· In his youth, William had been a dumpy little boy who ate too many sweets.· I think this skirt makes me look dumpy.
someone who is tubby is short and has a fat, round stomach: · The banker was a tubby, jolly-looking man.· He's getting a bit tubby -- too much of his wife's cooking I expect.
someone, especially a middle-aged person, who is stout is short and fat: · A stout woman in a tweed coat was standing outside the door.· Amy was now stout and matronly, the mother of three children.
a part of the body that is fat · Sally hates going swimming -- she thinks her legs are too fat.· The colonel rubbed his fat stomach, reaching for something from the table to put into his mouth. · My stomach's much fatter than yours.
pleasantly fat: · The doctor's wife had a plump face and a small mouth.· Paula had silver bracelets on her plump arms.
fat and round in an attractive way: · The baby reached out with its chubby little fingers.· Mark's cheeks were slightly chubby.
small and fat, especially in an amusing way: · His pudgy little fingers were covered in chocolate.· Elsie had a large body and a podgy face.
covered in soft loose fat in a way that looks unattractive: · Her body was getting old and flabby.· John's flabby white thighs wobbled as he walked across the beach.
fat and round in an attractive way: · Joanna's full red lips were fixed in an inviting smile.· A black necklace hung down over her full breasts.
a fat stomach a man who has a paunch has a large stomach: · You're getting a paunch, did you know that? · Merv lay back in his chair with his hands crossed above his paunch, listening to the radio. · Wally crossed the mirrored lobby, sucking in his paunch as he caught sight of himself.
a round stomach that sticks out at the front, especially when this is the result of eating or drinking too much: · Larry was just a regular guy: short, with a pot belly and moustache. · You really should do something about that pot belly of yours.
informal a fat stomach caused by drinking too much beer: · His beer gut was popping the buttons on his shirt.· At only seventeen, Lonny already had the beginnings of a beer gut.
British informal a ring of fat around the waist: · You should go on a diet -- look at that spare tyre!
the fat around the waist that people gradually get as they grow older: · A lot of people start to get middle-age spread once they pass 30.
to become fatter to get fatter and heavier: · John's put on a lot of weight recently, hasn't he?put on 5 kilos/2 lbs etc: · I put on several pounds while I was on holiday, so now I'm on a strict diet.
to become fatter and heavier, especially until you reach the weight you should be: · When I was young, I could eat all I wanted without gaining weight. gain 2 kilos/4 lbs etc: · Ben's gained at least five kilos since he was born.
to start getting fatter after being too thin: · Gerry was terribly thin when he came out of hospital, but he's filled out a lot since then.· Sue looks much healthier now and her face has started to fill out.
to make someone fat to make someone fatter because they are too thin - often used humorously: · The women in his family were always trying to fatten him up.
food that is fattening makes you fat: · I shouldn't have any more of this cake. It's way too fattening.· Grill the fish instead of frying it. It's less fattening that way.· Avoid fattening desserts -- eat a piece of fruit instead.
to make an animal fatter to make an animal fatter so that it will produce more meat: fatten up something/fatten something up: · The farmers are fattening up their cattle and getting them ready for market.
a rich person a person who is very rich, usually because they own land, property etc or because they have a family that has always been rich: · Taylor is a man of means. His family owns several apartment blocks in New York.· These were people of means who could afford to pay expensive legal fees.
a person who has a million pounds or dollars, or more: · The money to keep the hospital open was provided by a London millionaire.· I can't afford a new car just now. I'm no millionaire, you know.
a person who has many millions of pounds or dollars: · Louis Berg is a multi-millionaire who made his money in the newspaper business.
a rich and powerful person in a particular industry: · Foundations set up by magnates such as Carnegie and Rockefeller provided most of the funding for the arts in the US.steel/oil/shipping etc magnate: · She married a Texan oil magnate.· the property magnate who owns the Empire State Building
someone who makes a lot of money from a particular industry or business - use this about people who you think do not deserve to earn so much because they do not run their industry well, do not provide a good service etc: · They do not resent the city fat cats, but believe top businessmen deserve success.· Why should those fat cats get rich through our efforts?
informal use this when you are saying in a humorous way that someone has a lot of money: · Nowadays, if you're not a moneybags, some places don't want to have anything to do with you.
all the people who are rich in a particular country, society etc - use this especially when you are comparing them with people who are poor: · Under this government the rich seem to have got richer and the poor poorer.· Democracy gave the poor, as well as the rich, a part to play in governing the city.the rich and famous: · a tour around the Hollywood homes of the rich and famous
people who are rich, especially through owning land, property, or valuable possessions over a long period of time, who have a lot of power or influence in society: · Private health care should not be only for the wealthy.· The hotel stood by a lake, where the wealthy went to go fishing or pigeon shooting.
rich people and poor people - use this expression when you are comparing both groups: · The widening gap between the haves and the have nots is becoming very noticeable in New York.
thick if something such as a wall, a book, or a piece of glass is thick , there is a large distance between its two flat surfaces: · It's an old house with very thick stone walls.· The ground was covered in a thick layer of snow.· a thick slice of bread· shoes with thick rubber soles· Thicker curtains will give you more privacy.
especially British thick, solid, and heavy: · She wore a lot of chunky silver jewellery.· a sweater with chunky buttons· The books were small, chunky, and bright, specially designed for babies.
a fat book, envelope, wallet etc is a book, envelope etc that is thick because there is a lot in it - use this especially as a humorous way of describing something that looks very thick: · He pulled out a fat wallet stuffed with banknotes.· A tall man was smoking a fat cigar.· a big fat book· The children's fat Christmas stockings bulged with surprises.
heavy cloth or clothes are thick and usually warm: · He wore a heavy jacket and a wool ski hat.· The curtains were made of a heavy dark fabric which kept out all draughts and light.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRY You’ll get fat if you eat all that chocolate. a fat cheque Of course the supermarkets’ aim is to make fat profits. the fat content of cheese water with a low salt content a fat-free yoghurt low-alcohol beer
You’ll get fat if you eat all that chocolate. a fat cheque Of course the supermarkets’ aim is to make fat profits. (=music that sounds good) Check out these fat beats.
COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES Check out these fat beats.· Males have less body fat than females.
the fat content of cheese water with a low salt content· A low-calorie diet should solve your weight problem.
informal (=a very large fee)· Customers are being charged a hefty fee for their telephone service.
a fat-free yoghurt low-alcohol beer (=fat that someone believes they still have after they have lost weight)
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSNOUN· And far from silently resenting the city fat cats, they believe top businessmen deserve success.· Teacher: Are there more fat cats than thin cats?· The painting, with the two fat cats at the base of the steps, was thought to be by her.
· They were three small, fat ladies, and a great source of amusement to Jerry and me.· The fat lady gave his shoulder a slap and he was off, moving tipsily in the direction of Hard.· The seat on my left was occupied by a fat lady who was busy peeling an orange.· But the fat lady left me in peace.· He'd shifted a lot of linen, some bags of which weighed in like a circus fat lady.· The fat lady was shut inside her room.· So now, investors hope the fat lady sings an aria, not a tragic opera.· The fat lady had sung, but our troubles with this song had just begun.
· A fat lot of good it did me!· Frederick Bissett was a member of the Institute of Professional Scientists, and a fat lot of good that did him.
· On my entry, fifteen fat men in towels immediately stop what they're doing and stare intently.· George Foreman may joke about being a fat man, but he is an aerobic wonder.· The passenger was a short fat man in a grey suit.· The fat man looks at us.· I had to sit next to a monstrously fat man.· A fat man in a white singlet barged in, then barged out again.· I heard the fat man who had a room beneath me retching violently to spit his all.· The fat man who constantly stuffs himself is literally killing himself.
· Michael: There are a lot of fat people, of course, who quite like being fat.· Mortgage traders were the sort of fat people who grunt from the belly and throw their weight around, like sumo wrestlers.· It is obvious these individuals think fat people can become thin if they just start dieting and exercising.· But their conclusion was that fat people should try them anyway.· Instead of hunger, fat people were motivated by the clock, the hour, or the presence of food.· Then they used scare tactics, telling the audience that fat people were apt to succumb to something called Sudden Death syndrome.· A Healthier Prescription Not all physicians who treat fat people encourage them to diet, take pills, or have surgery.· He gave examples of the extreme prejudice and discrimination fat people face.
· The whole system was financed by smuggling gold purchased by his clients' money, and the organiser made fat profits.· He mentions the fat profits of the pharmaceutical companies.· The computer diet that could mean fat profits.· Grocer profits While other retailers are dropping like flies, supermarkets are making fat profits.
· It Is an act of courage for a fat woman to even go out in public.· Some fat woman with two tiny kids bundled up in puffy coats: tiny bouncing barrels.· Her husband was having a heated argument with a short fat woman about television as an inducement to juvenile delinquency.· Her name, I think, was Irene, and she was a big, fat woman who had a wonderful laugh.· Like a fat woman trying to get up off the grass.· Then he glanced at the fat woman carrying the naked-heeler.· There was this big, fat woman with at least four chins and a huge fat neck standing at the ironing board.
PHRASES FROM THE ENTRY► in fat city► a fat lipPHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES► black-bellied/fat-bellied/big-bellied etc► no chance!/fat chance!► kill the fatted calf► it’s not over until the fat lady sings
- These stock brokers grow fat on other people's money.
- Magnus grew fat on brown wholemeal scraps and Gina gave up trying to keep him away.
- The bull grew fat on his salary and expense account, but his performance was disappointing to say the least.
- They could see themselves growing fat on large-scale construction payrolls.
- You want tickets for the big game? Fat chance.
- There is fat chance of that for as long as the Government allows the banks to carry on with their grasping one-way policy.
- A fat lot of good it did me!
- Frederick Bissett was a member of the Institute of Professional Scientists, and a fat lot of good that did him.
- Getting the pound down was what Labour governments did with metronomic regularity. Fat lot of good it did them.
- They do not resent the city fat cats, but believe top businessmen deserve success.
- Why should those fat cats get rich through our efforts?
- And far from silently resenting the city fat cats, they believe top businessmen deserve success.
- Teacher: Are there more fat cats than thin cats?
- The painting, with the two fat cats at the base of the steps, was thought to be by her.
- Too often they are viewed as' ambulance-chasing fat cats'.
- A recently proposed federal ban on feeding animal protein to animals is encouraging, writes Rhodes, but has too many loopholes.
- Cholesterol is found only in animal products, such as meats-especially organ meats-whole milk products and the yolk of eggs.
- In general, the consumption of animal products has decreased while the consumption of plant products increased during recent years.
- It can only obtain it by eating animal proteins.
- Licensed hawkers were circulating, braying the merits of spiced sausages containing only real animal protein - so they claimed.
- The method was designed to estimate the intakes of total and saturated fat, cholesterol, and animal protein.
- The sanctions could take the form of a ban on virtually all trade in wild animal products with the two countries.
- What animal products are used in other wines, and why are producers not obliged to list the ingredients?
- And during his flying visit to Belfast, Mr Grade took time out to chew the fat about the old days.
- He made a shortened door, while Selwyn chewed the fat with Stapleton.
- Nowadays he liked nothing better than drinking rather too much with journalists, and chewing the fat.
- Randall stayed around chewing the fat for a while.
- Kitchen Hazards Never leave a chip pan unattended; better still, replace it with a thermostatically-controlled deep fryer.
- Using an electric skillet or deep fryer, heat about 2 inches of oil to 375 degrees.
- He was surprised, there was not an ounce of fat on him, but he had shed five pounds.
- Under their chestnut coats there was not an ounce of fat and their muscles moved without effort.
WORD FAMILYadjectivefatfatteningfattyfattednounfatfattyverbfatten
1flesh weighing too much because you have too much flesh on your body OPP thin: Are you suggesting I’m too fat? a short fat man in his early fifties You’ll get fat if you eat all that chocolate. He looks much fatter than in his photo.2object thick or wide OPP thin: Dobbs was smoking a fat cigar. a big fat book3money [only before noun] informal containing or worth a large amount of money: a fat cheque Of course the supermarkets’ aim is to make fat profits.4fat chance informal used to say that something is very unlikely to happenfat of ‘You can go to bed now and sleep easy.’ ‘Fat chance of that!’5(a) fat lot of good/use spoken not at all useful or helpful: Fat lot of use you are in the kitchen.6fat cat informal someone who has too much money, especially someone who is paid too much for their job – used to show disapproval: the fat cats at the top who have recently been given obscene pay increases7in fat city American English old-fashioned having plenty of money8grow fat on something to become rich because of something – used to show disapproval: The finance men had grown fat on managing other people’s money.9a fat lip informal a lip that is swollen because it has been hit: My friend was badly injured with bruised ribs and a fat lip.10approval informal another spelling of phat – used to show approval, especially of someone or something that is fashionable, interesting, or attractivefat/phat beats (=music that sounds good) Check out these fat beats.—fatness noun [uncountable]: a rise in fatness in childrenTHESAURUSfat having too much flesh on your body. It is rude to tell someone that they are fat. It is also better not to use any of these words when talking directly to someone about their body: · She thinks she’s fat.· He looks the same, just a little fatter.overweight weighing more than you should: · Many medical conditions are caused by being overweight.· She was several kilos overweight.big/large used when saying that someone has a big body. Large is more common than big in written English: · My father was a big man.· two large ladiesobese extremely fat in a way that is dangerous to your health: · He went to a summer camp for obese teenagers.chubby slightly fat in a nice-looking way – used especially about babies and children: · A chubby little baby was playing on the rug.plump a woman or child who is plump is slightly fat, especially in a pleasant way: · Her mother was a plump cheerful woman.flabby having soft loose skin that looks unattractive: · a flabby stomach· Her body was getting old and flabby.portly literary fat and round – used especially about fairly old men: · The bishop was a portly middle-aged gentleman.