crowded

American  

[krou-did] / ˈkraʊ dɪd /

adjective

1. filled to excess; packed.

2. filled with a crowd.

   crowded streets.

3. uncomfortably close together.

   crowded passengers on a bus.

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Other Word Forms

• crowdedly adverb
• overcrowded adjective
• overcrowdedly adverb
• overcrowdedness noun
• uncrowded adjective

Etymology

Origin of crowded

First recorded in 1605–15; crowd ¹ + -ed ²

Explanation

Places that are crowded are packed with people. During rush hour, you might decide not to get onto a crowded subway car, but wait for the next one, hoping it will be less crowded. Rock concerts are often crowded, and sometimes classrooms are so crowded with students that it makes the teacher's job harder. Tokyo is a crowded city, especially compared to Dubuque, Iowa, and shopping malls generally become crowded on the weekend before Christmas. These places are all crowded with people, but you could also say that a field is crowded with cows or your friend's house is crowded with cats. The Old English root is crudan, "to press."

Example Sentences

Despite their desirable addresses, the flats were sometimes crowded, with the women having to sleep on sofas.

From BBC • Apr. 24, 2026

The most crowded trade for the 2028 election belongs to basketball superstar LeBron James.

From Barron's • Apr. 22, 2026

European soccer has lived this reality, too, its most passionate supporters crowded out by duller, well-heeled buyers.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 20, 2026

“Frankly, I’ve been in positions where it’s been a crowded field, and we work hard and candidates emerge.”

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 20, 2026

Miss Lacey looked us over once more before we crowded into the service elevator and lined up again in the corridor outside the pavilion.

From "The Red Car to Hollywood" by Jennie Liu

Related Words

• cramped
• full
• huddled
• jam-packed
• jammed
• loaded
• packed
• populous
• teeming