# overcrowded

/ˈoʊvɝˌkɹaʊdɪd/ (US) · /ˌəʊvəkɹˈaʊdɪd/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Adjective

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/overcrowded
Updated: 2026-05-08

## Definition

containing too many people or things for the amount of space available. You use this to describe places like buses or cities that feel uncomfortably full.

For teachers: filled with more people or objects than is desirable, safe, or comfortable. Often used to describe urban infrastructure, housing, or public transport systems.

## Examples

- The overcrowded train is very hot and uncomfortable.
- Local authorities are struggling to provide enough services for the city's overcrowded neighborhoods.
- Urban planners warn that overcrowded housing conditions can lead to significant public health risks and increased strain on aging sanitation infrastructure.

## Pitfalls

- Not "The room was too much overcrowded." but "The room was very overcrowded." — As an adjective, 'overcrowded' is modified by 'very' or 'extremely' rather than 'too much'.

## Usage notes

- Typically used as a participial adjective; can appear both before a noun or after a linking verb like 'become' or 'remain'.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.