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

/ ŭn-săch′ə-rā′tĭd /

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

Derived Forms

• ˌunsatuˈration, noun

Other Words From

• un·sat·u·rate [uhn-, sach, -er-it, -, uh, -reyt], noun
• unsat·u·ration noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of unsaturated¹

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

Example Sentences

Generally, we find more unsaturated fats in plants than in animals.

From Science News For Students

This is because plants often need more unsaturated fats, especially in cold climates.

From Science News For Students

When in the unsaturated state, the core can pull in an external magnetic field, such as Earth’s.

From Science News

This deposition will make the solution unsaturated with respect to the smaller crystals and more of these will dissolve.

From Project Gutenberg

The color was recorded as a "light, unsaturated yellow, elytra darker yellow, body irridescent below."

From Project Gutenberg

The lignone complex reacts, by its unsaturated groups, with the halogens.

From Project Gutenberg

These last two compounds are termed unsaturated, whereas ethane is saturated.

From Project Gutenberg

If it is an unsaturated compound, like linseed oil, rapid absorption of oxygen will cause the film to dry rapidly and become hard.

From Project Gutenberg