unsaturated
Americanadjective
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not saturated; having the power to dissolve still more of a substance.
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Chemistry. (of an organic compound) having a double or triple bond and capable of taking on elements or groups by direct chemical combination without the liberation of other elements or compounds, as ethylene, CH 2 =CH 2 ; undersaturated.
adjective
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not saturated
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(of a chemical compound, esp an organic compound) containing one or more double or triple bonds and thus capable of undergoing addition reactions
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(of a fat, esp a vegetable fat) containing a high proportion of fatty acids having double bonds
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(of a solution) containing less solute than a saturated solution
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Relating to an organic compound in which two or more of the carbon atoms are joined by a double or triple bond and therefore can be combined with additional atoms or radicals. Benzene and acetylene are examples of unsaturated compounds.
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Compare saturated See also monounsaturated polyunsaturated
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Relating to a solution that is capable of dissolving more solute than it already contains.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of unsaturated
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.
In contrast to Kennedy’s declaration in January that the U.S. was “ending the war on saturated fat,” the heart association continues to recommend unsaturated fat sources over saturated ones for the sake of cardiovascular health.
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 31, 2026
It also assessed the nutrient and bioactive profile of pecans, including unsaturated fats, fiber and polyphenols, and identified gaps that should be addressed in future research.
From Science Daily • Feb. 22, 2026
Seed oils contain mostly unsaturated fat, the “good” kind of fat.
From Slate • Jan. 7, 2025
According to Dr Ahn, it has a low, unsaturated fat content and could have served as a healthy substitute for beef or pork.
From BBC • Jan. 12, 2024
The aromatic cyclic and unsaturated hydrocarbons of the vehicle may themselves be a major factor in the damage done the blood-forming organs.
From "Silent Spring" by Rachel Carson
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.
