German word

fett

Pronunciation

IPA/fɛt/

Meaning

  • adjectivegreasy

Example

Ich mag fettes Essen nicht.

I don't like greasy food.

Illustration for fett (greasy)

More examples

Der fettige Geschmack bleibt lange im Mund.

The greasy flavor remains in the mouth for a long time.

Core concept

A thick fullness that can feel greasy in food, broad in a body, or powerful and exciting in informal praise.

Common phrases

  • fettes Essen

    fatty food

  • fettes Fleisch

    fatty meat

Similar words

fettig: Greasy to the touch, with oil that can rub off onto the skin.
ölig: Oily in texture, with a visible sheen and a slick surface.
reichhaltig: Nourishing and energy-rich, creating a strong sense of fullness.
üppig: Plentiful and rich, with an appearance or flavor of luxury.

Definition in German

Mit hohem Fettanteil, ölig und oft schwer im Geschmack; kontextabhängig kann es auf Personen 'dick' bedeuten oder in der Jugendsprache 'super' heißen.

Word origin

German fett continues an old Germanic adjective related to English fat, and its slang sense meaning great is a later figurative extension.

Usage tips

  • The adjective stays lowercase as fett, but the related noun is capitalized as Fett; its ending changes in phrases such as fettes Essen.

Other meanings

  • overweightadjective
  • greatadjective

Opposites

Related words

  • Fettpolsterfat depositnoun
  • fettreichrich in fatadjective

Word lists with this word