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

One simple strategy is focusing on the four F's of food: fiber, phytochemicals, unsaturated fats and fermented foods.

From Salon

The reason: these layers have unsaturated chemical bonds on their surface and therefore a strong tendency to bind with other substances.

From Science Daily

According to Dr Ahn, it has a low, unsaturated fat content and could have served as a healthy substitute for beef or pork.

From BBC

The process, known as hydrogenation, ultimately yields a type of unsaturated fat called trans fat, which is commonly formed when liquid oils are made into solid fats.

From Salon

This means grass-fed meat tends to have higher levels of unsaturated fats than conventional meat and is why some research suggests it's healthier.

From Salon