fats
Americannoun
Usage
What are fats? Fats are greasy substances found in the tissues of animals and some plants. Many of the foods we eat contain these fats. Foods from animals, such as meat, milk, and eggs, all contain fats. So do some plant-based foods, such as nuts, avocados, and olive oil. The singular form fat can be used to collectively refer to the same thing. The body stores and uses fat for energy. The plural form fats is most often used in the context of nutrition. There are several different kinds of fats, such as saturated fats, unsaturated fats, and trans-fats, each of which can have different effects on a person’s nutrition and health. In general, it’s usually recommended not to consume too much fat. However, some fats are necessary in a diet because they help the body to absorb vitamins. The nutrition label on food products usually tell you exactly how much fat and what kinds of fats are in them. Example: This diet is based on avoiding foods that are high in fats.
Discover More
Many people consume too much fat in their diet; this imbalance can contribute to various diseases (such as disorders of the heart). Some fats, called saturated fats, have been found to raise the level of cholesterol in the blood, whereas other fats, called unsaturated fats, may help reduce blood cholesterol levels.
Etymology
Origin of fats
Plural of fat
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Some cosmetics, medicines and supplements contain gelatin, animal fats, alcohol or other ingredients whose origins matter to observant consumers.
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 12, 2026
Takeaways high in fats, salt and sugar are more widely available in areas of high deprivation where people are at higher risk of obesity.
From BBC ● Aug. 7, 2026
After an episode filled with warnings about addiction, government deception, processed food and discredited fats, the meal itself receives one adjective and one bite.
From Salon ● Aug. 5, 2026
Probiotic frozen yogurts, which contain healthy fats and more protein than other versions, align with the types of high-protein diets that have taken off with the boom in GLP-1 weight-loss medications.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 19, 2026
All the while, little cytoplasmic factories work 24/7, cranking out sugars, fats, proteins, and energy to keep the whole thing running and feed the nucleus—the brains of the operation.
From "The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks" by Rebecca Skloot
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
