rhizoverbBeta
DictionarypopulousMany inhabitants
adjective

populous

PAHP-yuh-luhs/ˈpɑːpjələs/

Having a large population.

The populous neighborhood fills its balconies, windows, and shared entrance with residents.

A compact, densely inhabited apartment neighborhood: many residents are visibly at home across closely stacked balconies and open windows, while neighbors occupy the shared entrance.
Etymology
populLatinpeople
+ousLatinfull of

The pieces express “full of people.” Applied to a place, this describes an abundance of inhabitants, especially in relation to the area's size.

In context

EarthSnaps6:26
Brooklyn is the most populous borough of New York City with over 2.7 million residents.
The 5 Boroughs of New York City — A Narrated 4K Aerial Tour

More examples

  • India is a populous country.
  • The coastal region is more populous than the dry interior.
  • Bus service connects the city's most populous neighborhoods.

Forms

populous · more populous · most populous

population noun — All the people living in an area.

Similar words

crowded
Emphasizes limited space, not the total number of inhabitants.
populated
Means inhabited, without necessarily having a large population.