unsaturated

[uhn-sach-uh-rey-tid]

adjective

1. not saturated; saturated; having the power to dissolve still more of a substance.

2. 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.

unsaturated

/ ʌnˈsætʃəˌreɪtɪd /

adjective

1. not saturated

2. (of a chemical compound, esp an organic compound) containing one or more double or triple bonds and thus capable of undergoing addition reactions

3. (of a fat, esp a vegetable fat) containing a high proportion of fatty acids having double bonds

4. (of a solution) containing less solute than a saturated solution

unsaturated

1. 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.

2. Compare saturated See also monounsaturated polyunsaturated

3. Relating to a solution that is capable of dissolving more solute than it already contains.

Other Word Forms

• unsaturate noun
• unsaturation noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of unsaturated¹

First recorded in 1750–60; un- ¹ + saturated

Example Sentences

"It's very high in antioxidants, in fibres and unsaturated fatty acids, and in different minerals that make it very popular among people who do sports," he says.

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Amid an obsession with low-fat diets in the 1980s, avocados were spurned by many — even though their fats are mostly unsaturated.

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For example, kale – rich in fiber, potassium and unsaturated fats, while low in sugar, sodium and saturated fats – would earn a high score.

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Since then, nutrition scientists have recognized that not all fats should be treated the same, and that unsaturated fats found in nuts, seeds, fish and certain vegetable oils can lower disease risk.

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According to decades of rigorous research, these unsaturated fatty acids have many health benefits.

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