dense
6 synonyms and 5 antonyms for dense, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adjective — Having parts packed closely together; thick or crowded.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
How to use dense
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Latin dēnsus, "thick, dense," from a Proto-Indo-European root meaning "thick."
Full origin of dense →Frequently asked questions
What does “dense” mean?
The word “dense” means having parts packed closely together; thick or crowded. In plain terms, packed tightly together — or, for text and people, hard to get through or slow to understand.
How do you pronounce “dense”?
“Dense” is pronounced DEHNS (/ˈdɛns/ in IPA).
How do you use “dense” in a sentence?
Here is “dense” used in a sentence: “They hiked through dense forest for hours.”
What is the opposite of “dense”?
The opposite of “dense” — its antonyms — are diffuse, few and far between, scattered, sparse and rarefied.
What part of speech is “dense”?
“Dense” is an adjective.
Where does the word “dense” come from?
The word “dense” comes from Latin. From Latin dēnsus, "thick, dense," from a Proto-Indo-European root meaning "thick.".
Is “dense” a common word?
“Dense” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “dense” have?
“Dense” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: having parts packed closely together; thick or crowded.
Is it rude to call a person dense?
Yes. Applied to a person, dense is an informal insult meaning slow to understand things. It is milder than harsher words but still belittling, so it is best avoided in polite or professional settings.
What is the difference between dense and thick?
Physically, dense means the parts are packed closely together, as in dense fog or a dense forest, while thick refers to depth or consistency, as in a thick slice or thick paint. Both can informally mean unintelligent, though thick in that sense is chiefly British.
What is the difference between dense and compact?
Both describe things packed closely together, but compact suggests neat, efficient use of space and is usually positive, as in a compact car. Dense is neutral to negative, emphasizing sheer tightness or heaviness, as in dense undergrowth or a dense crowd.