obesity

noun

obe·​si·​ty ō-ˈbē-sə-tē 

: a condition characterized by the excessive accumulation and storage of fat in the body

Obesity affects not just appearance, but disease processes as well.

—Malorye Allison

Synonyms

• adiposity
• chubbiness
• corpulence
• corpulency
• embonpoint
• fat
• fatness
• fattiness
• fleshiness
• grossness
• plumpness
• portliness
• pudginess
• pursiness
• rotundity
• weight

Examples of obesity in a Sentence

obesity has been linked to a number of health risks, such as heart disease

Recent Examples on the Web

Sanyal noted that semaglutide had previously been shown to be beneficial for obesity, diabetes and heart disease. —Khloe Quill, FOXNews.com, 3 May 2025

Addressing the obesity crisis will require commitment, money, and patience to see results. —Hank Cardello, Forbes.com, 30 Apr. 2025

Novo is following its competitor Eli Lilly, which last year partnered with telehealth companies to sell its obesity drug Zepbound. —Nathaniel Weixel, The Hill, 29 Apr. 2025

Despite limited evidence supporting its use for health, apple cider vinegar has become a popular supplement for managing obesity and diabetes. —Amy Brownstein, Ms, Rdn, Verywell Health, 25 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Middle French & Latin; Middle French obesité, borrowed from Latin obēsitāt-, obēsitās, from obēsus "fat, stout" + -itāt-, -itās -ity — more at obese

First Known Use

circa 1611, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing obesity

• anti-obesity

Medical Definition

obesity

noun

obe·​si·​ty ō-ˈbē-sət-ē 

plural obesities

: a condition that is characterized by excessive accumulation and storage of fat in the body and that in an adult is typically indicated by a body mass index of 30 or greater