Definition

1. Adjective (Chemistry):
   • Used of a compound (especially of carbon) containing atoms sharing more than one valence bond. This describes molecules, particularly organic ones, that contain double or triple bonds between carbon atoms. These bonds are not "saturated" with hydrogen atoms.
2. Adjective (General / Chemistry):
   • Not saturated; capable of dissolving more of a substance at a given temperature. This describes a solution that has not reached its maximum concentration and can still dissolve more solute.
3. Adjective (Color):
   • (Of color) not chromatically pure; diluted. This describes a color that has been mixed with white, making it less intense or vivid.

Usage Examples

• Adjective (Chemistry - Carbon compounds):
  • Olive oil contains unsaturated fats, which are considered healthier for the heart.
  • Alkenes are a class of unsaturated hydrocarbons characterized by a carbon-carbon double bond.
• Adjective (General / Chemistry - Solutions):
  • The chemist prepared an unsaturated salt solution by dissolving less than the maximum possible amount of salt in the water.
  • This is an unsaturated solution; we can add more sugar and it will still dissolve.
• Adjective (Color):
  • The artist preferred the soft, unsaturated pastel tones for the background of the painting.
  • The faded photograph showed only unsaturated blues and yellows.

Advanced Usage

• "Unsaturated" in Biochemistry and Nutrition: This is a highly common usage, specifically referring to fats and fatty acids.
  • Monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats are types of unsaturated fats found in foods like avocados and fish.
  • Replacing unsaturated fats for saturated ones in your diet can improve blood cholesterol levels.

Variants and Related Words

• Unsaturate (n, rare): An unsaturated compound.
• Unsaturation (n): The state or degree of being unsaturated. (e.g., "The unsaturation of the fat affects its melting point.")
• Polyunsaturated (adj): A type of unsaturated fat or molecule containing multiple double bonds.
• Monounsaturated (adj): A type of unsaturated fat or molecule containing one double bond.

Synonyms

• (For solutions): Dilute, not concentrated, capable of further dissolution.
• (For colors): Diluted, pale, pastel, soft, muted, washed-out.
• (For organic compounds): Containing double/triple bonds. (Note: There is no direct single-word synonym; the antonym is "saturated".)

Antonyms

• Saturated: (For all meanings) Fully soaked, unable to dissolve more, containing only single bonds, (of color) pure and vivid.

Adjective

1. (of color) not chromatically pure; diluted
   • an unsaturated red
2. used of a compound (especially of carbon) containing atoms sharing more than one valence bond
   • unsaturated fats
3. not saturated; capable of dissolving more of a substance at a given temperature
   • an unsaturated salt solution