populous

adjective

pop·​u·​lous ˈpä-pyə-ləs 

1

a

: densely populated

b

: having a large population

2

a

: numerous

b

: filled to capacity

populously adverb

populousness noun

Did you know?

With a metropolitan area of more than 20 million people, Mexico City could be called the world's second or third most populous city. And the nearby Aztec city of Tenochtitlán was one of the largest cities in the world even when Hernán Cortés arrived there in 1519. But by the time Cortés conquered the city in 1521 it wasn't nearly so populous, since European diseases had greatly reduced the population. Avoid confusing populous and populace, which are pronounced exactly the same.

Examples of populous in a Sentence

the most populous state in the U.S.

Recent Examples on the Web

The most populous county in California does, however, pay five other lobbying firms. —Andrew Graham, Sacbee.com, 22 Dec. 2025

China and India eased visa rules for each other, as once-icy relations between the world’s two most populous nations continue to thaw. —J.d. Capelouto, semafor.com, 21 Dec. 2025

The bridge structure lies in a heavily trafficked stretch of road near Larkspur, which is around the midway point between Denver and Colorado Springs, the two most populous cities in the state. —Dac Collins, Outdoor Life, 18 Dec. 2025

In its populous capital, slowing down might feel like a contradiction, but the best Airbnbs in Tokyo offer travelers respite from the bustle. —Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 18 Dec. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English populous, populus, borrowed from Latin populōsus, from populus people entry 1 + -ōsus -ous

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for populous

• populace
• populus

Kids Definition

populous

adjective

pop·​u·​lous ˈpäp-yə-ləs 

: having a large population