dense

adjective

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\ ˈden(t)s

denser; densest

Definition of dense

1a : marked by compactness or crowding together of parts dense vegetation dense traffic

b chemistry : having a high mass (see mass entry 2 sense 1c) per unit volume (see volume entry 1 sense 2) Carbon dioxide is a dense gas. The cake was overly sweet and dense.

2a : slow to understand : stupid, thickheaded was too dense to get the joke

b : extreme dense ignorance

3 mathematics : 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 (see opacity sense 2) a dense fog a dense photographic negative

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Other Words from dense Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More About dense

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Choose the Right Synonym for 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

Examples of dense in a Sentence

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

Recent Examples on the Web The Fraser River water is fresh – light – and silty, and the Strait of Georgia water is salty – dense – and clearer blue. — Kate S. Petersen, USA TODAY, 11 May 2022 The Enablers—dense and compact, policy-oriented and prescriptive—is the inverse of Dead in the Water in almost every way. — Ankush Khardori, The New Republic, 6 May 2022 Like maple, walnut and cherry wood, bamboo is dense and good at keeping water and juices out. — Nicole Papantoniou, Good Housekeeping, 25 Apr. 2022 From Leipzig to Lagos, cities that are serious about attracting the remote workforce of 2030 and beyond, need to start focusing on building better transportation systems, a dense and responsive housing supply, and investing in social infrastructure. — Jamaal Glenn, Time, 21 Apr. 2022 Because of its dense and complicated history, Lviv is a city of many other things too. — Daniel Mendelsohn, Town & Country, 18 Apr. 2022 Do not overmix, or your cake will be dense and tough. — Washington Post, 6 Apr. 2022 Jane Chevako called the development extremely dense and congested. — Eddie Morales, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 1 Apr. 2022 In Paraguay, Easter often involves chipa, a dense and chewy cheese bread, per Saveur. — Marygrace Taylor, SELF, 26 Mar. 2022 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'dense.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Dictionary Entries Near dense

densate

dense

densen

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Last Updated

18 May 2022

Cite this Entry

“Dense.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dense. Accessed 27 May. 2022.

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More Definitions for dense

dense

adjective

\ ˈdens

denser; densest

Kids Definition of dense

1 : having its parts crowded together : thick dense vegetation dense fog

2 : stupid sense 1 I'm not dense enough to believe this story.

Choose the Right Synonym for 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.