Plump vs. Fat: What's the Difference?
Edited by Sumera Saeed || By Sawaira Riaz || Updated on October 2, 2023
"Plump" often describes someone as being slightly and attractively rounded or full, while "fat" is a broader term and can imply excess body weight or the presence of fatty tissue, often with a negative connotation.
Key Differences
"Plump" and "fat" are words used to describe body composition, yet they convey different tones and connotations. "Plump" is often used in a more endearing or neutral manner, usually describing someone or something as full and rounded, often in a healthy or attractive way. It can suggest a soft, pleasing curvature or fullness. "Fat," on the other hand, can serve as a more straightforward or blunt descriptor of excessive body weight or the presence of fatty tissue, and it may be used negatively or neutrally depending on the context.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 02, 2023
The origin and application of the word "plump" are rooted in perceptions of attractiveness and health. Historically, a plump appearance was associated with wealth, prosperity, and fertility. It may refer to a well-rounded and healthy-looking feature, without necessarily implying excessiveness or unhealthiness. Conversely, "fat" has a more direct approach, originating from Old English "fǣtt," meaning "fatted, obese," and it primarily denotes the presence of excess fatty tissue in the body, sometimes associated with unhealthiness or lack of fitness.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 02, 2023
While "plump" often refers to humans, its use extends to describing fruits, animals, and other entities, emphasizing their wholesome, full appearance. For instance, a plump fruit is likely to be ripe and juicy. "Fat," however, goes beyond describing body composition. It is also a macronutrient essential to the human body, and its presence is crucial for energy storage and nutrient absorption. This multi-functionality of "fat" makes it a versatile word in various contexts, not limited to describing appearances.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 02, 2023
In terms of tone and politeness, "plump" is usually perceived as more polite and less offensive than "fat." "Plump" often carries a sense of quaintness or charm, making it more acceptable in everyday conversation when describing people. "Fat" can be offensive and is often considered a blunt or harsh term when describing individuals, although its usage can be neutral or technical, especially in medical or nutritional contexts.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 02, 2023
Comparison Chart
Connotation
More endearing or neutral, often positive or attractive.
Often neutral or negative, can be blunt or offensive.
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Oct 02, 2023
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Usage
Describes full, rounded appearance attractively.
Describes excess body weight or presence of fatty tissue.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 02, 2023
Context
Humans, fruits, animals. Can be related to health or attractiveness.
Humans, animals, nutritional context. Related to body composition or dietary components.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 02, 2023
Tone
Generally polite and less likely to offend.
Can be blunt, harsh, and potentially offensive.
Sara Rehman
Oct 02, 2023
Applicability
Specific to appearance or physical characteristic.
Wide-ranging, includes a dietary component and body composition.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 02, 2023
Plump and Fat Definitions
Plump
Slightly and attractively chubby.
The child's plump cheeks were adorable.
Harlon Moss
Oct 02, 2023
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Fat
Substance in bodies of animals and in some plants, consisting of a mixture of triglycerides.
This cut of meat has a lot of fat.
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Oct 02, 2023
Fat
Any of various soft, solid, or semisolid organic compounds constituting the esters of glycerol and fatty acids and their associated organic groups.
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Oct 27, 2022
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Fat
A mixture of such compounds occurring widely in organic tissue, especially in the adipose tissue of animals and in the seeds, nuts, and fruits of plants.
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Oct 27, 2022
Plump
To become well-rounded, chubby, or full in form
The baby plumped out at three months.
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Oct 27, 2022
Fat
Unnecessary excess
"would drain the appropriation's fat without cutting into education's muscle" (New York Times).
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Oct 27, 2022
Plump
To give full support or praise
Plumped for the candidate throughout the state.
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Oct 27, 2022
Plump
To throw down or drop (something) abruptly or heavily
Plumped the books onto the table.
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Oct 27, 2022
Fat
Fertile or productive; rich
"It was a fine, green, fat landscape" (Robert Louis Stevenson).
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Oct 27, 2022
Plump
Having a full and rounded shape; chubby, somewhat overweight.
A plump baby; plump cheeks
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Oct 27, 2022
Fat
Carrying more fat than usual on one's body; plump; not lean or thin.
The fat man had trouble getting through the door.
The fattest pig should yield the most meat.
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Oct 27, 2022
Fat
Thick; large.
The fat wallets of the men from the city brought joy to the peddlers.
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Oct 27, 2022
Plump
(transitive) To make plump; to fill (out) or support; often with up.
To plump oysters or scallops by placing them in fresh or brackish water
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Oct 27, 2022
Plump
(transitive) To cast or let drop all at once, suddenly and heavily.
To plump a stone into water
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Oct 27, 2022
Fat
(obsolete) Exhibiting the qualities of a fat animal; coarse; heavy; gross; dull; stupid.
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Oct 27, 2022
Fat
Rich; producing a large income; desirable.
A fat benefice; a fat office;
A fat job
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Oct 27, 2022
Fat
Of a character which enables the compositor to make large wages; said of matter containing blank, cuts, or many leads, etc.
A fat take; a fat page
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Oct 27, 2022
Plump
(obsolete) A knot or cluster; a group; a crowd.
A plump of trees, fowls, or spears
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Oct 27, 2022
Plump
Well rounded or filled out; full; fleshy; fat; as, a plump baby; plump cheeks.
The god of wine did his plump clusters bring.
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Oct 27, 2022
Plump
Done or made plump, or suddenly and without reservation; blunt; unreserved; direct; downright.
After the plump statement that the author was at Erceldoune and spake with Thomas.
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Oct 27, 2022
Fat
(uncountable) A specialized animal tissue with high lipid content, used for long-term storage of energy: fat tissue.
Mammals that hibernate have plenty of fat to keep them warm during the winter.
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Oct 27, 2022
Plump
A knot; a cluster; a group; a crowd; a flock; as, a plump of trees, fowls, or spears.
To visit islands and the plumps of men.
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Oct 27, 2022
Fat
Such tissue as food: the fatty portion of (or trimmings from) meat cuts.
Ask the butcher for a few pounds of fat for our greens.
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Oct 27, 2022
Fat
(countable) A lipid that is solid at room temperature, which fat tissue contains and which is also found in the blood circulation; sometimes, a refined substance chemically resembling such naturally occurring lipids.
Dietary fat is not the evil that it was once misapprehended to be; carbs are increasingly recognized as a bigger driver of atherosclerosis via chronic insulin resistance and the vascular processes that cascade from it.
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Oct 27, 2022
Fat
That part of an organization deemed wasteful.
We need to trim the fat in this company
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Oct 27, 2022
Plump
To make plump; to fill (out) or support; - often with up.
To plump up the hollowness of their history with improbable miracles.
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Oct 27, 2022
Fat
(golf) A poorly played shot where the ball is struck by the top part of the club head. (see also thin, shank, toe)
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Oct 27, 2022
Plump
To cast or let drop all at once, suddenly and heavily; as, to plump a stone into water.
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Oct 27, 2022
Fat
The best or richest productions; the best part.
To live on the fat of the land
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Oct 27, 2022
Fat
Work containing much blank, or its equivalent, and therefore profitable to the compositor.
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Oct 27, 2022
Fat
(obsolete) A large tub or vessel for water, wine, or other liquids; a cistern.
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Oct 27, 2022
Plump
Set (something or oneself) down with or as if with a noise;
He planked the money on the table
He planked himself into the sofa
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Oct 27, 2022
Plump
Give support (to) or make a choice (of) one out of a group or number;
I plumped for the losing candidates
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Oct 27, 2022
Plump
Euphemisms for slightly fat;
A generation ago...buxom actresses were popular
Chubby babies
Pleasingly plump
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Oct 27, 2022
Plump
Straight down especially heavily or abruptly;
The anchor fell plump into the sea
We dropped the rock plump into the water
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Oct 27, 2022
Fat
A large tub, cistern, or vessel; a vat.
The fats shall overflow with wine and oil.
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Oct 27, 2022
Fat
An oily liquid or greasy substance making up the main bulk of the adipose tissue of animals, and widely distributed in the seeds of plants. See Adipose tissue, under Adipose.
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Oct 27, 2022
Fat
The best or richest productions; the best part; as, to live on the fat of the land.
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Oct 27, 2022
Fat
Work. containing much blank, or its equivalent, and, therefore, profitable to the compositor.
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Oct 27, 2022
Fat
Exhibiting the qualities of a fat animal; coarse; heavy; gross; dull; stupid.
Making our western wits fat and mean.
Make the heart of this people fat.
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Oct 27, 2022
Fat
Rich; producing a large income; desirable; as, a fat benefice; a fat office; a fat job.
Now parson of Troston, a fat living in Suffolk.
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Oct 27, 2022
Fat
Abounding in riches; affluent; fortunate.
Persons grown fat and wealthy by long impostures.
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Oct 27, 2022
Fat
Of a character which enables the compositor to make large wages; - said of matter containing blank, cuts, or many leads, etc.; as, a fat take; a fat page.
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Oct 27, 2022
Fat
To make fat; to fatten; to make plump and fleshy with abundant food; as, to fat fowls or sheep.
We fat all creatures else to fat us.
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Oct 27, 2022
Fat
To grow fat, plump, and fleshy.
An old ox fats as well, and is as good, as a young one.
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Fat
A soft greasy substance occurring in organic tissue and consisting of a mixture of lipids (mostly triglycerides);
Pizza has too much fat
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Fat
A kind of body tissue containing stored fat that serves as a source of energy; adipose tissue also cushions and insulates vital organs;
Fatty tissue protected them from the severe cold
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Fat
Excess bodily weight;
She found fatness disgusting in herself as well as in others
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Oct 27, 2022
Fat
Marked by great fruitfulness;
Fertile farmland
A fat land
A productive vineyard
Rich soil
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Oct 27, 2022
FAQs
Can "plump" be used as a verb?
Yes, as in "to plump up," meaning to become fuller or rounder.
Aimie Carlson
Oct 02, 2023
Is "fat" always used negatively?
No, it can be neutral or technical, especially in nutritional or medical contexts.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 02, 2023
Can "fat" be used medically?
Yes, it can describe body composition and the presence of fatty tissue in a clinical context.
Sara Rehman
Oct 02, 2023
Does "plump" imply a lack of fitness?
No, it does not inherently imply unhealthiness or lack of fitness.
Harlon Moss
Oct 02, 2023
Can "plump" be used positively?
Yes, it often conveys a sense of healthy fullness or attractive roundness.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 02, 2023
Can "fat" refer to nutritional components?
Yes, it also refers to a macronutrient essential to human diet and health.
Aimie Carlson
Oct 02, 2023
Can "plump" refer to fruits and animals?
Yes, it can describe anything that appears full and rounded, suggesting healthiness or ripeness.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 02, 2023
Is "fat" used in cooking?
Yes, it refers to the fatty component of meats and oils used in cooking.
Aimie Carlson
Oct 02, 2023
Is "plump" synonymous with overweight?
Not necessarily, it often denotes healthy or attractive fullness rather than excess weight.
Aimie Carlson
Oct 02, 2023
Can "fat" describe objects?
Yes, it can describe something thick or substantial, like a fat book or a fat log.
Aimie Carlson
Oct 02, 2023
Can "plump" and "fat" be used interchangeably?
While they can sometimes refer to similar concepts, they are not fully interchangeable due to different connotations and usages.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 02, 2023
Can "fat" refer to wealth?
Yes, in informal language, a "fat" contract or a "fat" paycheck can denote substantial wealth.
Harlon Moss
Oct 02, 2023
Can "plump" describe texture?
Yes, it can refer to something that is soft and full, like a cushion.
Aimie Carlson
Oct 02, 2023
Is "fat" an offensive term?
It can be perceived as offensive when used to describe people, so it’s crucial to be mindful of its usage.
Aimie Carlson
Oct 02, 2023
Is "plump" specific to certain contexts?
It is often used to describe physical appearance but can apply to other contexts like fruits or cushions.
Aimie Carlson
Oct 02, 2023
About Author
Written by
Sawaira RiazSawaira is a dedicated content editor at difference.wiki, where she meticulously refines articles to ensure clarity and accuracy. With a keen eye for detail, she upholds the site's commitment to delivering insightful and precise content.
Edited by
Sumera SaeedSumera is an experienced content writer and editor with a niche in comparative analysis. At Diffeence Wiki, she crafts clear and unbiased comparisons to guide readers in making informed decisions. With a dedication to thorough research and quality, Sumera's work stands out in the digital realm. Off the clock, she enjoys reading and exploring diverse cultures.
