saturated

adjective

sat·​u·​rat·​ed ˈsa-chə-ˌrā-təd 

1

: full of moisture : made thoroughly wet

a saturated sponge

2

a

of a solution : unable to absorb or dissolve any more of a solute at a given temperature and pressure

If more material is added to a saturated solution, no further dissolving will take place. The extra material will simply settle to the bottom of the solution.

—Merill C. Fellger

b

: having no double or triple bonds between carbon atoms in a hydrocarbon chain

—used especially of an oil, fat, or fatty acid

saturated fatty acids

see also saturated fat compare unsaturated sense b

3

of a color : having high saturation (see saturation sense 4) : pure

The early spring sky is a deep saturated blue next to the muddy brown of the dry, scrubby hills …

—Sonia Shaw

Synonyms of saturated

• dripping
• bathed
• saturate
• soaked
• wet
• flooded
• washed
• soaking

Examples of saturated in a Sentence

His shirt was saturated with sweat.

the area's already saturated freeways

Recent Examples on the Web

Hues like blush and dusty rose pair well with sandy neutrals, soft grays, and even more saturated colors like teal and fuchsia. —Ariel Wodarcyk, InStyle, 6 Feb. 2026

Compared to hard cheeses, cottage cheese has less saturated fat and 5 times more potassium. —Anna Giorgi, Verywell Health, 5 Feb. 2026

Leading up its abrupt closure, The Brewer's Art owed nearly $150,000, court records show — a crippling mountain of debt for what local beer-makers say is a saturated, competitive market. —Jane Godiner, Baltimore Sun, 4 Feb. 2026

As a boutique focused on scalable, distinctive tentpole drama, pairing top-tier talent with powerful and unique IP provides the crucial edge to cut through the noise of a saturated market, offering partners and viewers the reassurance of high-end quality. —John Hopewell, Variety, 27 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1728, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing saturated

• saturated fat

Rhymes for saturated

• abdicated
• abrogated
• acclimated
• activated
• actuated
• adumbrated
• advocated
• aggravated
• aggregated
• agitated
• allocated
• alternated

Kids Definition

saturated

adjective

sat·​u·​rat·​ed

ˈsach-ə-ˌrāt-əd

1

: full of moisture

2

a

: being a mixture that is unable to absorb or dissolve any more of a substance at a given temperature and pressure

b

: being a carbon compound having no double or triple bonds between carbon atoms

saturated fats

Medical Definition

saturated

adjective

sat·​u·​rat·​ed ˈsach-ə-ˌrāt-əd 

1

of a solution : unable to absorb or dissolve any more of a solute at a given temperature and pressure

2

: having no double or triple bonds between carbon atoms in a hydrocarbon chain

—used especially of an oil, fat, or fatty acid

coconut oil is a saturated oil

see also saturated fat compare unsaturated sense b