obese
adjective/əʊˈbiːs/
/əʊˈbiːs/
(formal or medical)- (of people) very fat, in a way that is not healthy
- Obese patients are given dietary advice.
- people who are grossly obese
Vocabulary Building Saying that somebody is fatSaying that somebody is fat- Fat is the most common and direct word, but it is not polite to say to somebody that they are fat:
- Does this dress make me look fat?
- You’re looking fat now.
- Overweight is a more neutral word:
- I’m a bit overweight.
- Large or heavy is less offensive than fat:
- She’s a rather large woman.
- He's a big guy, isn't he?
- Plump means slightly fat in an attractive way, often used to describe women.
- Chubby is used mainly to describe babies and children who are fat in a pleasant, healthy-looking way:
- the baby’s chubby cheeks
- Tubby (informal) is used in a friendly way to describe people who are short and round, especially around the stomach.
- Stocky is a neutral word and means fairly short, broad and strong.
- Stout is often used to describe older people who have a round and heavy appearance:
- a short stout man with a bald head
- Flabby describes body parts that are fat and loose:
- exercises to firm up flabby thighs
- Obese is used by doctors to describe people who are so fat that they are unhealthy. It is also used in a general way to mean ‘really fat’.
Collocations Diet and exerciseDiet and exerciseWeightTopics Health problemsb2, Appearanceb2- put on/gain/lose weight/a few kilos/a few pounds
- watch/control/struggle with your weight
- be/become seriously overweight/underweight
- be/become clinically/morbidly obese
- achieve/facilitate/promote/stimulate weight loss
- slim down to 70 kilos/(British English) 11 stone/(especially North American English) 160 pounds
- combat/prevent/tackle/treat obesity
- develop/have/suffer from/struggle with/recover from anorexia/bulimia/an eating disorder
- be on/go on/follow a crash/strict diet
- have/suffer from a negative/poor body image
- have/develop a positive/healthy body image
- eat a balanced diet/healthily/sensibly
- get/provide/receive adequate/proper nutrition
- contain/get/provide essential nutrients/vitamins/minerals
- be high/low in calories/fat/fibre/protein/vitamin D/Omega-3 fatty acids
- contain (no)/use/be full of/be free from additives/chemical preservatives/artificial sweeteners
- avoid/cut down on/cut out alcohol/caffeine/fatty foods
- stop/give up/ (especially North American English) quit smoking
- (British English) take regular exercise
- do moderate/strenuous/vigorous exercise
- play football/hockey/tennis
- go cycling/jogging/running
- go to/visit/ (especially North American English) hit/work out at the gym
- strengthen/tone/train your stomach muscles
- contract/relax/stretch/use/work your lower-body muscles
- build (up)/gain muscle
- improve/increase your stamina/energy levels/physical fitness
- burn/consume/expend calories
- be/get/keep/stay healthy/in shape/(especially British English) fit
- lower your cholesterol/blood pressure
- boost/stimulate/strengthen your immune system
- prevent/reduce the risk of heart disease/high blood pressure/diabetes/osteoporosis
- reduce/relieve/manage/combat stress
- enhance/promote relaxation/physical and mental well-being
Word Originmid 17th cent.: from Latin obesus ‘having eaten until fat’, from ob- ‘away, completely’ + esus (past participle of edere ‘eat’).Definitions on the go
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