fatness

[ fat-nis ]

noun

1. the state or condition of being fat; obesity; corpulence.
2. richness; fertility; abundance:

   the fatness of the land.

Word History and Origins

Origin of fatness¹

before 1000; Middle English fatnesse, Old English fǣtnes. See fat, -ness

Example Sentences

I also think for a long time, I felt like my consequences, for lack of a better word, were fatness.

From Los Angeles Times

Society is “treating fatness” without considering what’s driving it in America.

From Salon

Critics have referred to the film as an insightful view of fatness that is often neglected and rarely acknowledged by Hollywood.

From BBC

When it comes to the concrete material implications of fatness, women don't just face more pressure to look a certain way.

From Salon

There is also tension between those who view obesity as a medical problem and others who understand “fatness” to be a socially constructed identity.

From Salon

About This Word

What does fatness mean?

Fatness is a word for the state or condition of being or being considered obese or overweight.

The word fat is most often used in a critical, judgmental, or mean way, and the same is often true of fatness. In contrast, the synonym obesity is more often used in a neutral way, such as in a medical context in the discussion of a person’s health (though it too can be used in a judgmental or mean way).

Fatness isn’t always used in a negative way. Some people might refer to others’ or their own fatness in a way that’s not intended to be critical, as in I don’t have to apologize for my fatness. 

Example: As a society, we tend to value skinny bodies and shame fatness.  

Where does fatness come from?

The first records of the word fatness come from before the year 1000. The base word, fat, comes from the Old English verb fǣtan, meaning “to cram” or “to load.” The suffix -ness indicates a state or condition.

The word fatness can also be used in a figurative way to refer to richness, fertility, or abundance, especially in the phrase the fatness of the land.

Did you know ... ?

What are some other forms related to fatness?

• fat (adjective, noun)

What are some synonyms for fatness?

• obesity

What are some words that share a root or word element with fatness? 

• fattism

What are some words that often get used in discussing fatness?

• overweight
• weight
• body
• shaming
• food
• nutrition
• eat
• diet
• excess

How is fatness used in real life?

The word fatness is offensive when it’s used in a mean or judgmental way.

Fat bodies are normal bodies. Fatness is a normal bodily variation. Not everyone can/will be thin.

— fiyinskosko (@fiyinskosko) November 29, 2020

Just a reminder that I don't love being called chubby.

I'm fat.

Chubby, to me, implies I'm some size or shape I'm not, that we're trying to cute up my fatness to make it palatable.

I ' m f a t.

There's nothing wrong with being fat.

— Queen of Nevers 👑✴️👁🚪🌌 (they/them) (@liminalnobilis) November 29, 2020

Book! In my final essay of 2018, I wrote about fatness, genius, and the "Black abundance" of @rgay's HUNGER, @KieseLaymon HEAVY & @tressiemcphd's THICK for @NBCNewsTHINK. https://t.co/YOuMFXf3qE

— Dr. Steven W. Thrasher (@thrasherxy) December 30, 2018