What does sated mean?
Sated describes a state of complete satisfaction, usually after a need such as hunger, thirst, or a strong desire has been fully met. The word commonly carries the implication of having enough, or perhaps more than enough: a person can be sated after a large meal or sated with success after years of striving. It is more emphatic than simply satisfied and can suggest that further experience would be unappealing. In figurative use, sated often describes a loss of appetite or ambition caused by having experienced something repeatedly or excessively. The term is standard in both British and American English and can be formal or literary in tone, although it remains readily understandable in everyday speech.
adjectiveHaving satisfied one's appetite or desire, especially to the point of having had more than enough. It can also describe a feeling of complete satisfaction or a lack of further interest because a need has been fulfilled.
- Having eaten or drunk enough, especially more than enough.
- Feeling completely satisfied because a strong need or desire has been fulfilled.
- No longer interested in pursuing something because it has been fulfilled to an excessive degree.
"After a long afternoon at the beach, we were sated and ready to head home."
"The children came home sated after eating pizza and ice cream."
"After years of rivalry, he was finally sated with victory and sought a different challenge."
Sated means you have reached the point where more would satisfy the appetite but offer little appeal.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does sated come from?
The word comes from the past participle of the older English verb satiate, meaning to satisfy fully or to fill to excess. Satiate derives through Old French from Latin satiare, from the Latin root satur, meaning full or satisfied. The related English words satiety and saturate preserve the same Latin origin.
Related word forms
How sated is actually used
Sated often suggests fullness, contentment, or a sense of having reached a limit. It can be mildly negative when it implies excessive consumption or the loss of further desire.
Easily confused with sated
Both describe having satisfied a need, but sated is the more concise everyday term, while satiated is more formal and can emphasize completeness or excessive satisfaction.