Meaning & use
denser
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“denser” is a form of “dense”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.
Meanings
adjectivecomparable
Packed more tightly with matter or particles in the same amount of space.
Grammar: This is the comparative form of 'dense'; it is used before 'than' when comparing two things, or before a noun.
Patterns
- denser than something
- much denser
- a denser material
Lead is much denser than aluminum, which is why it feels so heavy for its size.
As you go deeper into the ocean, the water becomes denser under the pressure.
The center of the star is far denser than its outer layers.
adjectivecomparable
Having parts or people crowded more closely together.
Grammar: Used to compare the closeness of arrangement, often with 'than'.
Patterns
- denser than something
- a denser population
- denser housing
The city center is denser than the suburbs, with apartment buildings on every block.
This forest is denser than the one near the lake, so less sunlight reaches the ground.
Planners want denser development near train stations to reduce car use.
adjectivecomparable
Thicker and harder to see through, as with fog, smoke, or clouds.
Grammar: Often used with 'than' to compare visibility conditions.
Patterns
- denser than something
- denser fog
- grow denser
The fog grew denser as we drove up the mountain, until we could barely see the road.
Smoke from the fire was denser than the morning mist.
As the cloud became denser, the pilot decided to land at a different airport.
adjectivecomparable
More difficult to understand because the ideas or style are packed too tightly.
Grammar: Used mainly about writing or speech; often with 'than'.
Patterns
- denser than something
- a denser argument
- denser prose
The second chapter is denser than the first, full of technical terms.
His later essays are denser and demand more attention from the reader.
The report could have been clearer; it was denser than necessary.
Word forms
| base form | dense |
|---|---|
| superlative | densest |
Common combinations
- denser than
- Gold is denser than iron.
- much denser
- The crowd was much denser near the stage.
- denser fog
- We slowed down in the denser fog.
- denser population
- The coastal region has a denser population than the interior.
Synonyms and how they differ
- thicker
- Use 'thicker' for liquids, fog, or hair; 'denser' is better for scientific mass or tightly packed particles.
- more compact
- This emphasizes small size and neat packing; 'denser' emphasizes the amount packed into a space, not neatness.
- heavier
- This refers to weight, not mass per volume; a dense material is heavy for its size, but 'heavier' alone does not mean dense.
Opposites
Word family
Commonly confused: denser or dense?
denser vs dense
Remember that 'denser' compares two things; use 'dense' when you are not comparing.
Practice
The air near the ground was ______ than the air above, so the smoke stayed low.
Choose one answer.
The sentence compares two layers of air, so the comparative form 'denser' is needed. 'Dense' is the base form and does not fit before 'than'; 'densest' compares three or more; 'densely' is an adverb.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “denser”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.