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

He was staying in a hotel that would have been crowded during the winter tourist season, but in the summertime was nearly empty.

From Salon • Apr. 25, 2026

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

From Barron's • Apr. 22, 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

The bay area waters are somewhat closed off and relatively crowded with major container ships, ferries and public marinas, increasing the possibility of a whale - dead or alive - colliding with a vessel.

From BBC • Apr. 19, 2026

If done in public, it would no doubt assure anyone of getting a seat on even the most crowded omnibus.

From "The Hidden Gallery" by Maryrose Wood

Related Words

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