Skinny vs. Fat — What's the Difference?

Informal term for something negligible or less substantial.

Having a lot of excess body fat.

Having very little body fat.

Abundant or plentiful, often used figuratively.

Extremely slender, especially where you can see bones protruding.

Thick or large.

Describing minimal thickness or breadth.

Informal for describing something very good or impressive.

A casual word for narrow.

Rich in oil or grease.

Having very little bodily flesh or fat, often unattractively so; very thin.

In nutrition, biology, and chemistry, fat usually means any ester of fatty acids, or a mixture of such compounds, most commonly those that occur in living beings or in food.The term often refers specifically to triglycerides (triple esters of glycerol), that are the main components of vegetable oils and of fatty tissue in animals; or, even more narrowly, to triglycerides that are solid or semisolid at room temperature, thus excluding oils. The term may also be used more broadly as a synonym of lipid—any substance of biological relevance, composed of carbon, hydrogen, or oxygen, that is insoluble in water but soluble in non-polar solvents.

(informal) thin, generally in a negative sense (as opposed to slim, which is thin in a positive sense).

A natural oily substance occurring in animal bodies, especially when deposited as a layer under the skin or around certain organs

Having reduced fat or calories.

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

Naked; nude (chiefly used in the phrase skinny dipping).

(of a person or animal) having a large amount of excess flesh

(of clothing) tight-fitting

Large in bulk or circumference

(golf) thin

Make or become fat

(colloquial) The details or facts; especially, those obtained by gossip or rumor.

The ester of glycerol and one, two, or three fatty acids.

A state of nakedness; nudity.

Any of various soft, solid, or semisolid organic compounds constituting the esters of glycerol and fatty acids and their associated organic groups.

(informal) A low-fat serving of coffee.

A mixture of such compounds occurring widely in organic tissue, especially in the adipose tissue of animals and in the seeds, nuts, and fruits of plants.

(nonstandard) A skinny being.

Animal tissue containing such substances.

(transitive) To reduce or cut down.

A solidified animal or vegetable oil.

Consisting, or chiefly consisting, of skin; wanting flesh.

Obesity; corpulence

Confidential information about a topic or person;

Unnecessary excess

Having unattractive thinness;

Having much or too much fat or flesh; plump or obese.

Full of fat or oil; greasy.

Abounding in desirable elements

Fertile or productive; rich

Having an abundance or amplitude; well-stocked

Yielding profit or plenty; lucrative or rewarding

Prosperous; wealthy

Thick; large

Puffed up; swollen

To make or become fat; fatten.

Carrying more fat than usual on one's body; plump; not lean or thin.

Thick; large.

Bulbous; rotund.

Bountiful.

Oily; greasy; unctuous; rich said of food.

(obsolete) Exhibiting the qualities of a fat animal; coarse; heavy; gross; dull; stupid.

Fertile; productive.

Rich; producing a large income; desirable.

Abounding in riches; affluent; fortunate.

Of a character which enables the compositor to make large wages; said of matter containing blank, cuts, or many leads, etc.

(golf) Being a shot in which the ground is struck before the ball.

(theatre) Of a role: significant; major; meaty.

Alternative form of phat

(uncountable) A specialized animal tissue with high lipid content, used for long-term storage of energy: fat tissue.

Such tissue as food: the fatty portion of (or trimmings from) meat cuts.

(countable) A lipid that is solid at room temperature, which fat tissue contains and which is also found in the blood circulation; sometimes, a refined substance chemically resembling such naturally occurring lipids.

That part of an organization deemed wasteful.

(slang) An erection.

(golf) A poorly played shot where the ball is struck by the top part of the club head. (see also thin, shank, toe)

The best or richest productions; the best part.

Work containing much blank, or its equivalent, and therefore profitable to the compositor.

A fat person.

A beef cattle fattened for sale.

(obsolete) A large tub or vessel for water, wine, or other liquids; a cistern.

(obsolete) A dry measure, generally equal to nine bushels.

To make fat; to fatten.

To become fat; to fatten.

To hit a golf ball with a fat shot.

A large tub, cistern, or vessel; a vat.

A measure of quantity, differing for different commodities.

An oily liquid or greasy substance making up the main bulk of the adipose tissue of animals, and widely distributed in the seeds of plants. See Adipose tissue, under Adipose.

The best or richest productions; the best part; as, to live on the fat of the land.

Work. containing much blank, or its equivalent, and, therefore, profitable to the compositor.

Abounding with fat

Exhibiting the qualities of a fat animal; coarse; heavy; gross; dull; stupid.

Fertile; productive; as, a fat soil; a fat pasture.

Rich; producing a large income; desirable; as, a fat benefice; a fat office; a fat job.

Abounding in riches; affluent; fortunate.

Of a character which enables the compositor to make large wages; - said of matter containing blank, cuts, or many leads, etc.; as, a fat take; a fat page.

To make fat; to fatten; to make plump and fleshy with abundant food; as, to fat fowls or sheep.

To grow fat, plump, and fleshy.

A soft greasy substance occurring in organic tissue and consisting of a mixture of lipids (mostly triglycerides);

A kind of body tissue containing stored fat that serves as a source of energy; adipose tissue also cushions and insulates vital organs;

Excess bodily weight;

Make fat or plump;

Having much flesh (especially fat);

Having a relatively large diameter;

Containing or composed of fat;

Lucrative;

Marked by great fruitfulness;

A chubby body;

Not necessarily; health depends on many factors including fitness, diet, and genetics, not just body weight.

Yes, being too skinny can lead to health issues like malnutrition and a weakened immune system.

A person is considered skinny if they have a visibly low amount of body fat and a slender figure.

A low body fat percentage typically defines skinny, while a high body fat percentage is characteristic of being fat.

Genetics can significantly influence one's body type, affecting both propensity to gain weight and body fat distribution.

Diet plays a crucial role, but other factors like metabolism, lifestyle, and health conditions are also influential.

Regular physical activity, balanced nutrition, and regular medical check-ups are essential for everyone.

Yes, people can be "fat but fit," maintaining good health with regular exercise and a healthy diet.

In many cultures, skinny is often seen as more desirable, although this is slowly changing with body positivity movements.

Media traditionally glorifies skinny as ideal, though there is increasing representation and acceptance of fat individuals.

These perceptions are largely influenced by historical, social, and media-driven ideals of beauty and health.

Societal perceptions can impact self-esteem, mental health, and overall quality of life for individuals.

The fashion industry significantly influences public perception by often promoting slimmer figures as more fashionable.

It promotes acceptance of all body types, striving to reduce stigma and increase representation of diverse body shapes.