Definition

1. Noun:
   • A person who has a large amount of excess body fat; a rotund individual: The term refers to a human being whose body weight is significantly above what is considered average or healthy, characterized by a round or corpulent physique.

Usage

• The term "fat person" is a direct, descriptive noun phrase. It is often considered blunt or impolite in casual conversation. More sensitive or clinical alternatives are typically preferred.
• It is used to describe someone's physical appearance in a factual, though potentially offensive, manner.

Examples

• Noun:
  • The article discussed health risks common to a fat person.
  • He was often stereotyped simply for being a fat person.

Advanced Usage

• The phrase can be used in sociological or medical contexts to discuss topics like discrimination, health, or body image, though specific terminology like "person with obesity" is often used in formal medical writing.
• "the fat person in the room": A metaphorical twist on "the elephant in the room," sometimes used to awkwardly literalize an unspoken issue.

Variants and Related Words

• Overweight person (n): A generally more acceptable term for someone above a healthy weight.
• Obese person (n): A clinical term for a person with a high degree of excess body fat, often defined by a Body Mass Index (BMI).
• Corpulent individual (n): A formal synonym meaning a large-bodied person.
• Fat (adj): Having a lot of excess flesh. Example: .

Synonyms

• Rotund individual: A formal synonym emphasizing a round shape.
• Portly person: A somewhat old-fashioned or polite term, often implying stoutness.
• Stout person: Suggests a solid, heavy build.

Notes on Usage and Sensitivity

• The term "fat person" can be perceived as derogatory or dehumanizing because it reduces an individual to a single physical characteristic. In many contexts, person-first language (e.g., "person with obesity," "person who is overweight") is recommended as it emphasizes the person before the condition.
• Within some communities, particularly the body positivity or fat acceptance movement, the word "fat" has been reclaimed as a neutral descriptor. However, its use in the phrase "fat person" by those outside these contexts is still often considered rude.

Noun

1. a rotund individual