Catalyzes the hydrolysis of a wide range of substrates including cholesteryl esters, phospholipids, lysophospholipids, di- and tri-acylglycerols, and fatty acid esters of hydroxy fatty acids (FAHFAs) (PubMed:10220579, PubMed:27509211, PubMed:27650499, PubMed:8471055). Preferentially hydrolyzes FAHFAs with the ester bond further away from the carboxylate. Unsaturated FAHFAs are hydrolyzed more quickly than saturated FAHFAs (By similarity). Has an essential role in the complete digestion of dietary lipids and their intestinal absorption, along with the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins (PubMed:10220579, PubMed:27509211, PubMed:27650499, PubMed:8471055). {ECO:0000250|UniProtKB:Q64285, ECO:0000269|PubMed:10220579, ECO:0000269|PubMed:27509211, ECO:0000269|PubMed:27650499, ECO:0000269|PubMed:8471055}. This is the function of CEL (carboxyl ester lipase, ENSG00000170835).