a natural oily substance in animal bodies, especially when deposited under the skin or around certain organs.
▸such a substance, or a similar one made from plants, used in cooking.
the presence of excess fat in a person or animal:
he was running to fat.
Chemistry any of a group of natural esters of glycerol and various fatty acids, which are solid at room temperature and are the main constituents of animal and vegetable fat. Compare with oil.
adj.
(fatter, fattest)
(of a person or animal) having a lot of excess fat.
(of food) containing much fat.
informal substantial:
fat profits.
informal used to express the belief that something is unlikely:
fat chance she had of influencing him.
v.
(fats, fatting, fatted)
archaic make or become fat.
Phrase
the fat is in the fire something has happened that will inevitably cause trouble.
kill the fatted calf produce one's best food to celebrate, especially at a prodigal's return.
[with biblical allusion to Luke 15.]
live off
(or on)
the fat of the land have the best of everything.