populous - Master This Word
Master this word with our 5-step learning method – Learn English in English
populous Word Meanings
- having a large population
- densely populated
- crowded with people
populous Example Sentences
Example sentences are the start of understanding. Don't rush to memorize. First feel how the word works in a sentence.
populous Phonetic & Pronunciation
UK
/ˈpɒpjʊləs/
US
/ˈpɑp.jə.ləs/
populous Word Etymology
The word 'populous' is derived from the Latin root 'populus', meaning 'people'. It entered English through Old French in the late 14th century. Visualize a bustling city square filled with diverse people connecting like a vibrant tapestry of cultures.
Note 1: These definitions and etymologies are not standard dictionary definitions, but extended explanations provided to help with memorization and understanding of the actual application of words. Through this background information, we strive to make words more vivid and easier to understand, and help you remember their meanings in real life.
Note 2: LexiTalk designs the learning flow around the linguistics principle of “Comprehensible Input.” When learners encounter material that is slightly above their level but still understandable from context, the brain naturally absorbs the language. That’s why we keep every word inside authentic contexts, using examples and associations to help you understand it and use it flexibly.
Read the FAQ explanation of Comprehensible InputReal Context
Populous is an adjective that describes places with a large population. It conveys not only the number of people but also how crowded a place feels, from busy streets to packed public transport. You might call a major city or metropolitan area populous, or describe a district as populous if it has many residents and facilities. The term is common in reports, travel writing, and urban planning, when contrasting densely populated places with rural or sparsely populated areas. It implies vitality and social activity, but it does not specify whether people are happy or well-off; it simply notes scale and density.
Usage Reminders
- Remember: - Populous describes population size and density, not popularity. - Use with cities, districts, or regions. - Pair with densely, heavily, or highly to indicate intensity. - Do not apply to animals, objects, or non-human contexts. - Compare with sparsely populated or rural areas to show contrast.
Common Misconceptions
- Confused with 'popular' meaning well-liked or famous.
- Assumes all populous places are crowded in every area.
- Mistakes it for rural or sparsely populated descriptions.
- Thinks it describes happiness or wealth of residents.
- Often misused with 'popular' in travel writing.
Thinking Differences
English speakers typically judge density by physical cues (crowded streets, busy transit) and official data (census, planning reports); learners should distinguish 'populous' from 'popular' and 'dense' to avoid false friends and misused descriptions.
Learning Tips
- Make a mental link between 'populous' and 'dense population' rather than 'popular'.
- Use collocations: populous city, densely populated area, highly populated district.
- Compare with 'populated' and 'populace' to deepen nuance.
- Remember opposite: sparsely populated or rural areas.
- Read reports or travel writing to see how it helps describe scale.
- Practice pronunciation: POP-yuh-luhs, stress on the first syllable.
5-Step Learning Method - Learn English in English
Step 1: Meaning
What is the meaning of the word 'populous'?
A.Having a low population density
B.Being remote and uninhabited
C.Having many people living in a place
D.Being spread out over a large area
Step 2: Usage
Choose the sentence that uses 'populous' correctly.
A.New York City is one of the most populous cities in the world.
B.After the storm, the streets became populous with fallen trees.
C.The mountain range was populous with wildlife.
D.The spacious park was populous with benches.
Step 3: Similar Words
Which word is most similar to 'populous'?
A.Fertile
B.Inhabited
C.Remote
D.Desolate
Step 4: Opposite Words
What is the opposite of 'populous'?
A.Deserted
B.Congested
C.Crowded
D.Lively
Step 5: Mastery
Can you think of a real-life context that illustrates a populous area?
A.A city with a vibrant nightlife and many attractions.
B.A small village with only a few families living there.
C.An uninhabited island in the Pacific Ocean.
D.A remote cabin in the woods.
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