denser; densest
1
a
: 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.
2
a
: 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
densely
adverb
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.
Recent Examples on the Web
From dense, intensely aromatic reds to delicate whites, from sparkling to still, from sweet to fortified, there is a wine here that will suit any palate.
—
Joseph V Micallef, Forbes.com, 18 June 2025
In addition, most microlensing efforts are recorded at the Galactic Center -- the densest part of the Milky Way, Edita Stonkutė, an associate professor of astronomy at Vilnius University, said in a statement.
—Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 18 June 2025
Chicago has already decided and affirmed often to embrace dense, affordable housing near transit, most recently via the Connected Communities Ordinance in 2022.
—Chicago Tribune, 17 June 2025
The Netflix House concept, however, takes that to a different level with permanent locations in dense locations, where the company is hoping to engage consumers more frequently.
—Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 17 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for dense
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Joseph V Micallef, Forbes.com, 18 June 2025
In addition, most microlensing efforts are recorded at the Galactic Center -- the densest part of the Milky Way, Edita Stonkutė, an associate professor of astronomy at Vilnius University, said in a statement.
—Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 18 June 2025
Chicago has already decided and affirmed often to embrace dense, affordable housing near transit, most recently via the Connected Communities Ordinance in 2022.
—Chicago Tribune, 17 June 2025
The Netflix House concept, however, takes that to a different level with permanent locations in dense locations, where the company is hoping to engage consumers more frequently.
—Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 17 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for dense
Cite this Entry
“Dense.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dense. Accessed 22 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
dense
adjective
denser; densest
1
a
: marked by closeness or crowding together of parts
a dense forest
b
: having a high mass per unit volume
lead is a very dense metal
2
: slow to understand : stupid sense 1a
3
: thick entry 1 sense 4
dense fog
4
: having between any two mathematical elements at least one element
the set of rational numbers is dense
densely
adverb
denseness
noun
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