dense

dense

adj \ˈden(t)s\

dens·erdens·est

Definition of DENSE

1

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>

2

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

3

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

4

: demanding concentration to follow or comprehend <dense prose>

5

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

— dense·ly adverb

— dense·ness \ˈden(t)-snəs\ noun

Examples of DENSE

1. They cut a path through the dense jungle.
2. a dense tangle of wires
3. a dense cluster of stars
4. That part of the city has a dense population of immigrants.
5. A dense mass of spectators filled the courtroom.
6. In the movie, she plays his kind but somewhat dense aunt.

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

Related Words: crammed, jammed, overcrowded; crushed, massed, pressed, squeezed, wall-to-wall; airtight, snug; compacted, compressed, condensed, congested; firm, hard, solid; impenetrable, impermeable, impervious

Near Antonyms: commodious, roomy, spacious

see all synonyms and antonyms

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See Synonym Discussion at stupid

Rhymes with DENSE

fence, sense, tense, whence