fat

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'fat' is a perfectly acceptable and commonly used word in written English.
It can be used both as an adjective, as in "The fat cat was sitting on the windowsill," or as a noun, as in "The fat prevented the cake from cooking correctly."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Lifestyle

Travel

Sport

Opinion

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Fat in the ankle, fat in the wrist".

The Economist

She is far from immune from fashion snobbery, and has been known to rail against fat people wearing stretch jeans, and anyone at all wearing flip-flops, but she speaks sense on the subject of ageing.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

For the past three years or so, at least one stranger has sought me out pretty much every day to call me a fat bitch (or some pithy variation thereof).

The Guardian

Symptoms like oedema, the swelling of legs or face to make children look fat, or thin hair that is easily shed, may be overtly recognizable.

The Guardian

"Back in the day," Byron told me, "staff and patients would sit together in the common room playing cards and chewing the fat.

The Guardian

When Kollegaeva visited she was served a penis made of pork fat, served with a side helping of dumplings.

The Guardian

Russian Revels recently hosted a tasting night at Pushkin House, a Russian cultural centre in central London, in an attempt use "this tasty slab of fat as a lens to understand Ukraine".

The Guardian

She is also the author of 7 books including How To Get A Job In A Recession, Now You've Been Shortlisted and Fat to Fantastic This content is brought to you by Guardian Professional.

The Guardian

Add two or three tablespoons of fat to a food processor, then add the other sauce ingredients.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Plates held olives, boquerones – tiddler fish marinated in vinegar – and slices of acorn-fattened wine-red ham marbled with buttery fat.

The Guardian - Travel

It summed up every negative stereotype about hardcore gamers, as Cartman and his friends became fat, greasy-haired, acne-ridden slobs as they go through the endless hours of practice necessary to defeat an awesomely powerful player who was ruining the game for everyone.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "fat" to describe a person, consider the context and your audience to avoid causing offense. There are often more sensitive or descriptive alternatives available.

Common error

Avoid using "fat" as a blanket term for describing someone's appearance. Instead, focus on specific physical characteristics or use more neutral language like "curvy" or "stout", depending on the intent.

Linguistic Context

The word "fat" functions primarily as an adjective to describe something containing a high amount of fat or being of considerable size, or as a noun referring to adipose tissue. Ludwig shows examples where "fat" describes physical appearance, food content, or abstract concepts like wealth.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Lifestyle

25%

Travel

10%

Less common in

Sport

8%

Opinion

7%

Science

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the word "fat" is a versatile term functioning as both an adjective and a noun with varied applications, from describing physical attributes to commenting on societal issues. As Ludwig AI indicates, the word is grammatically correct and commonly used. While it's prevalent in news and lifestyle contexts, sensitivity is crucial when describing people. Consider context and audience to avoid offense by using more appropriate alternatives where possible. Its widespread usage across authoritative sources indicates that understanding the nuances of "fat" is crucial for effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

obese

Indicates a severe degree of being overweight, often with health implications.

overweight

Focuses specifically on exceeding a healthy weight.

corpulent

A more formal and clinical term for being very fat.

plump

Suggests a rounded and pleasantly fat appearance.

chubby

A more endearing term for being slightly fat, especially in children.

lardy

Relates to the presence of lard, connecting to the substance of fat.

well-fed

Implies abundance and good nourishment, often resulting in being fat.

stocky

Describes a build that is broad and sturdy, potentially implying fatness.

thickset

Similar to stocky, suggesting a solid and heavy build.

portly

A polite term for being fat, particularly around the abdomen.

FAQs

How can I use "fat" in a sentence?

You can use "fat" as an adjective, like "the "fat cat" sat on the mat", or as a noun, such as "the recipe calls for a tablespoon of "animal fat"".

What's a more polite word for "fat"?

Depending on the context, you could use words like "plump", "chubby", "stout", or "curvy" instead of "fat" to be more sensitive.

Is it offensive to call someone "fat"?

Yes, calling someone "fat" can be offensive because it focuses on their physical appearance and can be interpreted as judgmental or insulting. It's better to use more neutral or respectful language.

What is the difference between "fat" and "obese"?

"Fat" is a general term for having excess body weight, while "obese" indicates a medical condition of having an unhealthy amount of body fat, often with specific health implications.