fats
B1Neutral to technical depending on context.
Definition
Meaning
A plural noun referring to natural oily or greasy substances occurring in animal bodies and in some seeds, used as an energy store.
In general discourse, also refers to dietary components, or colloquially, to weight gain from adipose tissue. In some contexts, a shortening of "fatty acids."
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily a noun; rarely used as a verb (to 'fat' an animal). The plural form is the default when referring to the substance generally or multiple types.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Minimal in core meaning. 'Lard' is more specific in both, but colloquial terms for body fat may differ slightly.
Connotations
Equally negative when referring to body weight. In nutritional contexts, the negative/positive valence follows similar health trends.
Frequency
Similar frequency in both varieties. Spelling is identical.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
NOUN + of + fats (e.g., types of fats)ADJECTIVE + fats (e.g., unhealthy fats)VERB + fats (e.g., contain fats, metabolize fats)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Chew the fat”
- “The fat is in the fire”
- “Live off the fat of the land”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
In food industry marketing ('low in saturated fats').
Academic
In biochemistry and nutrition science ('omega-3 fatty acids').
Everyday
Discussing diet, cooking, or body weight ('I'm trying to cut down on fats').
Technical
Specifying types of lipids or triglycerides in lab reports.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- They fatten the pigs on barley before market.
- He's fattening up nicely on his grandmother's cooking.
American English
- The farmer fattened the cattle with corn.
- She's just fattening her savings account for a down payment.
adjective
British English
- He trimmed the fat bits off the steak.
- That's a fat lot of good you were!
American English
- She cut the fat pieces of bacon into lardons.
- A fat chance we have of winning now.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Milk has fats.
- I don't eat a lot of fats.
- Some fats are better for you than others.
- The recipe says to reduce the amount of saturated fats.
- Nutritionists distinguish between healthy unsaturated fats and harmful trans fats.
- The body stores excess energy as fats.
- The biochemical pathways for metabolising dietary fats are complex and highly regulated.
- Artisanal soap makers often use a blend of plant-derived fats and oils.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
FATS Are The Storage - think of them as the body's storage units for energy.
Conceptual Metaphor
FAT IS A SUBSTANCE (often unwanted) / FAT IS FUEL / FAT IS A RESERVE.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not directly translate "жиры" as "fats" in every chemical context; for technical use, "lipids" may be more accurate.
- Colloquial Russian "жирок" has a diminutive, slightly softer connotation not present in the neutral/clinical English "fats."
Common Mistakes
- Using uncountable 'fat' when referring to multiple types (e.g., 'Different fat' vs. 'Different fats').
- Confusing 'fats' (plural noun) with the verb 'fats' (which is very rare).
Practice
Quiz
In which idiom does the word 'fat' relate to trouble or a crisis?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is usually uncountable when referring to the general substance ('Too much fat is unhealthy'), but countable when referring to different types or categories ('Different fats have different health effects').
Typically, 'fats' are solid at room temperature (e.g., butter, lard), while 'oils' are liquid (e.g., olive oil, sunflower oil). Chemically, they are both lipids.
The verb form is 'to fat' which is archaic or dialectal (meaning to grow fat). The more common verb is 'to fatten' (to make or become fat). 'Fats' as a present tense verb is extremely rare ('He fats the livestock').
No. Unsaturated fats (found in nuts, avocados, fish) are essential for health. Saturated and trans fats, often found in processed foods, are linked to health risks when consumed in excess.