dense
When describing a person as "dense," the word is used informally to mean they are slow to understand something. This can be seen as rude or insulting depending on the context. In scientific contexts, "dense" refers specifically to the physical property of density (mass per volume). When describing forests or crowds, it simply means there is very little open space between objects.
💬Casual Conversation
Chloe's been hinting for an hour. How are you this dense?
Hinting about what? I'm just chilling.
Meanings
Closely compacted in substance; having a high mass per unit volume.
"The lead weights are incredibly dense."
Having parts that are crowded together; thick.
"They struggled to walk through the dense jungle foliage."
Slow to understand; stupid.
"I've explained it three times, but he is being particularly dense today."