Word
congested
Phoneticscon·gest·ed, stress on the second syllable
US/kənˈdʒɛstəd/
UK/kəndʒˈɛstɪd/
Definition
adj. too full or blocked with something, like a road full of cars or a nose full of mucus. It means movement is difficult because there is no space left.
adj. blocked or overcrowded to the point of obstructing movement or flow. Often used in medical contexts regarding mucus or in urban planning regarding traffic.
Examples
“The city streets are always congested during the morning rush hour.”
“The main highway became heavily congested after a minor accident blocked two lanes of traffic.”
“Urban planners are struggling to redesign the city's historic center, which was never intended for the volume of vehicles that now leave it perpetually congested.”
Examples
simple
“The city streets are always congested during the morning rush hour.”
contextual
“The main highway became heavily congested after a minor accident blocked two lanes of traffic.”
complex
“Urban planners are struggling to redesign the city's historic center, which was never intended for the volume of vehicles that now leave it perpetually congested.”
Usage
Often used predicatively after 'become' or 'get'; frequently pairs with the preposition 'with'.
Pitfall
The traffic is very congesting
The traffic is very congested
Learners often confuse the participial adjective 'congested' (the state) with the '-ing' form, which is rarely used as an adjective.
Real-World Examples
“As air traffic controllers struggled to route aircraft around the storms, airspace became heavily congested and many planes due to fly were simply forced to wait on the ground.” “The elevated highway was a congested eyesore that physically divided Boston’s urban center.” - Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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