What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
obese
Example
The doctor diagnosed him as obese and recommended a weight loss program. [obese: adjective]
Example
Obesity is a growing problem in many countries around the world. [obesity: noun]
fat
Example
She was self-conscious about her fat arms and avoided wearing sleeveless tops. [fat: adjective]
Example
He's gained a lot of fat since he stopped exercising regularly. [fat: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Fat is more commonly used than obese in everyday language. Fat is a versatile term that covers a wide range of contexts, while obese is a more specific and technical term used in medical or scientific contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between obese and fat?
Obese is a more formal term than fat. It is typically used in medical or scientific contexts and may be considered insensitive or offensive when used inappropriately. Fat is a more casual and colloquial term that can be used in various formality levels.
