adj
Common
populated
Populated (adj) means having inhabitants, especially to a stated degree. Example: “The city's outskirts are sparsely populated.”
adj
1
Having inhabitants, especially to a stated degree.
"The city's outskirts are sparsely populated."
"This is one of the most densely populated regions in Europe."
"The island is only thinly populated, with a few small farms."
How to use populated
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishLived in by people, or filled with data or content.
Common pairings
densely populated
sparsely populated
heavily populated
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more populated
- Superlative
- most populated
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The city's outskirts are sparsely _____.
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for populated
See all rhymes for populated →Frequently asked questions
What does “populated” mean?
The word “populated” means having inhabitants, especially to a stated degree. In plain terms, lived in by people, or filled with data or content.
How do you use “populated” in a sentence?
Here is “populated” used in a sentence: “The city's outskirts are sparsely populated.”
What part of speech is “populated”?
“Populated” is an adjective.
Is “populated” a common word?
“Populated” is a fairly common word in modern English.
What is the difference between populated and densely populated?
Populated simply means having inhabitants, especially to a stated degree, while densely populated specifically indicates a high concentration of people within a given area. An area can be populated but still sparse, whereas densely populated always implies crowding.
What is the difference between populated and inhabited?
Populated and inhabited are closely related, both meaning an area has residents, but populated is more often used with a modifier describing degree, such as heavily populated or sparsely populated, while inhabited is more commonly used on its own.
Can populated be used outside of geography, such as in computing?
Yes, populated is often used in computing and data contexts to describe a field, table, or list that has been filled with data, extending the core meaning of having inhabitants or content to a stated degree.
