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

“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

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

She emerged from a crowded field of nearly a dozen candidates to clinch a narrow victory in the February primary, running just ahead of former Rep. Tom Malinowski.

From Salon • Apr. 18, 2026

She described a crowded room, with people coughing, or receiving positive Covid tests, as feeling like a "death sentence" for her daughter.

From BBC • Apr. 15, 2026

The man and woman Natalie took to be their parents crowded in close behind them.

From "Two Degrees" by Alan Gratz

Related Words

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