unsaturated

Everyday

1. (science) An unsaturated solution can still dissolve more of a substance, like water that can take more sugar or salt. tree →
2. (food, science) Unsaturated fats are fats found mostly in plants and fish, like olive oil, that are usually liquid at room temperature and are healthier than saturated fats. tree →
3. Unsaturated colours are pale or greyish, not strong. tree →

In the lessons

In science lessons on dissolving: keep adding salt until no more dissolves; before that, the solution is unsaturated, after that it is saturated. In health and food labels: «saturated fat» and «unsaturated fat». In art: unsaturated colours are dull or pastel.

Examples

• The salt water was unsaturated, so more salt dissolved. tree →
• Keep stirring sugar in until the solution is no longer unsaturated. tree →
• Olive oil is high in unsaturated fat. tree →
• Nuts and fish contain unsaturated fats. tree →
• Read the label to compare saturated and unsaturated fat. tree →
• The old photo had unsaturated, faded colours. tree →

Note

Opposite: «saturated» (holding as much as it can). In food, both fats give energy; unsaturated fats are usually called healthier. Spelling: «sat-u-rat-ed».