dense

adjective \ˈden(t)s\

: having parts that are close together

: crowded with people

: not smart : not able to understand things easily

dens·erdens·est

Full Definition of DENSE

a : marked by compactness or crowding together of parts <dense vegetation> <dense traffic>

b : having a high mass per unit volume <carbon dioxide is a dense gas>

a : slow to understand : stupid, thickheaded <was too dense to get the joke>

b : extreme <dense ignorance>

: having between any two elements at least one element <the set of rational numbers is dense>

: demanding concentration to follow or comprehend <dense prose>

: having high or relatively high opacity <a dense fog> <a dense photographic negative>

— dense·ly adverb

— dense·ness \ˈden(t)-snəs\ noun

See dense defined for English-language learners

See dense defined for kids

Origin of DENSE

Latin densus; akin to Greek dasys thick with hair or leaves

First Known Use: 15th century

Related to DENSE

Synonyms: compact, crowded, close, jam-packed, packed, serried, thick, tight

Antonyms: airy, loose, open, uncrowded

Synonym Discussion of DENSE

stupid, dull, dense, crass, dumb mean lacking in power to absorb ideas or impressions. stupid implies a slow-witted or dazed state of mind that may be either congenital or temporary <stupid students just keeping the seats warm> <stupid with drink>. dull suggests a slow or sluggish mind such as results from disease, depression, or shock <monotonous work that leaves the mind dull>. dense implies a thickheaded imperviousness to ideas <too dense to take a hint>. crass suggests a grossness of mind precluding discrimination or delicacy <a crass, materialistic people>. dumb applies to an exasperating obtuseness or lack of comprehension <too dumb to figure out what's going on>.

Rhymes with DENSE

fence, sense, tense, whence

DENSE Defined for Kids

dense

adjective \ˈdens\

dens·erdens·est

Definition of DENSE for Kids

: having its parts crowded together : thick <dense vegetation> <dense fog>

: stupid 1 <I'm not dense enough to believe this story.>

— dense·ly adverb <a densely populated region>

Synonym Discussion of DENSE

dense, thick, and compact mean having parts that are gathered tightly together. dense is used of something in which the parts are very close together. <They lost their way in the dense forest.> thick is used of something that has many small parts that form a single mass. <He has a thick head of hair.> compact is used of something that has a close and firm gathering of parts, especially within a small area. <The laptop has a compact design.>

Learn More About DENSE

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for "dense"

Spanish Central: Spanish translation of "dense"

Nglish: Translation of "dense" for Spanish speakers

Britannica English: Translation of "dense" for Arabic speakers

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