congested
congested — adjective
1. describes a place, system, or network where too many people or things are packed
describes a place, system, or network where too many people or things are packed together, making it hard for anything to move or operate normally.
The city centre was so congested that shoppers could barely walk along the pavement.
collocation: congested city centre
At rush hour the metro becomes congested and passengers often wait for several trains.
Hari could not reach a doctor because the phone lines were congested.
Sora could not find a seat because the train was congested with commuters.
- crowded
more general; simply means full of people, without the idea of blocked movement
- overcrowded
stronger; suggests an unpleasant or unsafe level of crowding
- clogged
usually for pipes or drains, but can describe roads metaphorically
- clear
free of obstructions or crowds
- uncongested
direct opposite, but less common
用法筆記
Often describes public spaces, transport systems, and communication networks. Can be followed by 'with' to specify the cause: 'beaches congested with tourists.'
常見錯誤
2. describes a road, street, or area that is filled with so many vehicles that move
describes a road, street, or area that is filled with so many vehicles that movement becomes extremely slow or stops completely.
The M25 motorway remained congested all morning because of an accident near junction twelve.
collocation: congested motorway / road
Esteban avoids driving through the centre because the streets are always congested after four o'clock.
Quan left an hour early, but the bridge was congested and he still arrived late for the meeting.
Kevin avoids the coastal road at weekends because it gets congested with holiday traffic.
- clogged
more informal; suggests slow or stopped flow, like a blocked drain
- gridlocked
stronger; means traffic has stopped completely in all directions
- snarled
informal; suggests tangled or confused traffic
- clear
no traffic jams; vehicles move freely
用法筆記
The most common everyday use of 'congested.' Typically modifies road-related nouns: 'road,' 'street,' 'motorway,' 'junction,' 'city centre.' Often paired with 'heavily' or 'badly.'
常見錯誤
3. describes a person or their nose when the nasal passages are blocked, usually be
describes a person or their nose when the nasal passages are blocked, usually because of a cold, flu, or allergy, making it hard to breathe through the nose.
Maeve woke up feeling congested and reached for a box of tissues on the nightstand.
When his nose feels congested, Lukas finds it hard to sleep and wakes up several times at night.
The doctor said Emre's ears were also congested and prescribed a spray.
Adina bought a humidifier to help with her congested sinuses during the winter.
- clear
able to breathe freely through the nose
用法筆記
Can describe the person ('I feel congested') or the body part ('my nose is congested'). Usually temporary. The noun 'congestion' is also common: 'nasal congestion.'
常見錯誤
4. describes a body organ or tissue, especially the lungs, that is abnormally fille
describes a body organ or tissue, especially the lungs, that is abnormally filled with blood, mucus, or other fluid, typically as a result of illness or injury.
The X-ray showed that Adisa's lungs were congested with fluid, which explained his persistent cough.
passive pattern: be congested with [fluid / blood]
Patients with congested airways often struggle to breathe even after light physical activity.
Congested blood vessels in the retina can signal a serious underlying condition.
Lakan's doctor said his congested airways would improve once the infection cleared.
- clear
free from abnormal fluid or blockage
- decongested
the state after congestion has been relieved
用法筆記
A formal or clinical term. Not used in casual conversation about minor illnesses. The noun 'congestion' appears in medical terms such as 'congestive heart failure.'