fats

Definition

Noun (plural form of "fat"):
- Natural oily substances: "fats" refer to a group of natural esters of glycerol and fatty acids, such as animal or vegetable fats, that are solid at room temperature and used in cooking and nutrition.
- Example: Butter and lard are common animal fats.
- Excess body tissue: In informal contexts, "fats" can mean adipose tissue or body fat, especially when referring to overweight individuals (often considered derogatory).
- Example: He was teased about his excess fats in school.

Usage Examples
  • (Cooking fats from plants.)
  • (Dietary fats that are solid at room temperature.)
  • (Animal fat used in making tallow.)
Advanced Usage
  • "Fats" as a mass noun: In scientific or dietary contexts, "fats" is often treated as a plural noun referring to different types of fatty substances.
    • Example: Monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats are considered healthier than trans fats.
  • "Fats" in metabolism: The term can also refer to lipids stored in the body for energy.
    • Example: The body breaks down fats during prolonged exercise.
Variants and Related Words
  • Fatty (adj): containing or resembling fat; also (n) a derogatory term for an overweight person.
    • Example: Fatty foods should be eaten in moderation.
  • Fatness (n): the state or quality of being fat.
    • Example: The fatness of the pig was measured before slaughter.
  • Fatso (n, informal, derogatory): an overweight person (plural: fatsoes).
    • Example: The children cruelly called him a fatso.
Synonyms
  • Lipids: scientific term for fats and oils.
  • Grease: melted or rendered animal fat.
  • Suet: hard white fat from around the kidneys of sheep or cattle.
Related Idioms
  • "Chew the fat": to chat casually or gossip.
    • Example: They sat around chewing the fat about old times. (Not related to actual fat.)
  • "Live off the fat of the land": to enjoy the best of everything without effort.
    • Example: After winning the lottery, he lived off the fat of the land.
Phrasal Verbs (with "fat")
  • Fat up (rare): to make fat or fatter.
    • Example: Farmers fat up their cattle before market.