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to pack

to pack

278 2.3
To press things together so they take less space
  • verb
  • /pæk/
translation icon : abarrotar
  • Moreover, the daytime population trebled, resulting in packed train lines and chaotic traffic.
  • densely packed
  • tightly packed
  • closely packed

And more people kept showing up and they, they kept packing us forward.

Examples

  • Sitting or squatting, people packed the room so tightly I didn't see how I'd push my way through.

    Academic text (2012)
  • I gazed out the window at family sedans and SUVs packed with everything their drivers owned.

    Academic text (2015)
  • Just pack up and head out on the road.

  • I gave some books away, packed some to carry, and some to ship.

    Fiction book (1991)
  • The more you pack the bubbles together, the more you pack them, the more solid they get.

  • The movers came yesterday, packed up what we'll need, and put the rest in storage.

    Fiction book (1991)
  • Before our vacation, we need to pack our bags with enough clothes for a week.

  • She decided to pack the fragile dishes carefully to avoid any breakage during the move.

  • They managed to pack all the supplies into the car for their camping trip.

Synonyms

to pile
vsto pack
255 1.2

To put things in a heap or stack

focuses more on tight pressing or cramming rather than simple stacking
to stuff
vsto pack
243 2.0

To fill something tightly with things

is similar but also covers orderly arranging, not just cramming
to compress
vsto pack
94 3.7

To press something so it takes less space

focuses on close grouping rather than primarily reducing physical volume
to package
vsto pack
76 1.8

To put things into a box for transport or storage

is about pressing or crowding things closely, not about enclosing for transit
to stow
vsto pack
57 5.8

Pack things tightly into a small space to save room

is the simple act of crowding or pressing things closely together
to jam
vsto pack
46 3.2

Push people or things together so they cannot move easily

is the general act of pressing items or people closely, not only blocking movement
to bag
vsto pack
38 1.0

To put things into a bag, for example when shopping

is the act of pressing or cramming items closely rather than containerizing
to impact
vsto pack
24 7.4

To press things together to make them tight

is the general action of pressing or crowding closely without wedging
to tamp
vsto pack
14 7.0

To press or pack something down tightly

is the wider act of pressing or crowding items closely together
to compact
vsto pack
11 4.4

To press something so it becomes smaller and takes less space

covers packing closely but not only the density change
to throng
vsto pack
7 6.4

To gather closely in large numbers in a place

is broader, applying to people or things pressed closely in any setting
to smush
vsto pack
  • Informal
5 7.8

To press people or things together into a small space

is similar but does not always imply flattening or squashing force
to pack together
vsto pack
2 3.0

To press things so they fit more tightly together

is broader, meaning press or cram items closely without focus on compacting
to tamp down
vsto pack
1 5.3

Press something down firmly to make it more compact

carries the general sense of squeezing or crowding without just downward force
to wad
vsto pack
1 6.3

To push people or things tightly into a small space

is the broader act of forcing items into a small space
to jampack
vsto pack
1 4.5

Fill a place or container until there is no room left

covers close pressing or crowding but not always complete filling
to bale up
vsto pack
7.2

To press and tie plant material like straw or hay into large tight bundles for storage

is more general, not limited to forming bound bales for storage
to thring
vsto pack
  • Archaic
9.9

To crowd into a place in large numbers

is the wider idea of pressing or cramming without stressing large groups
to pack nuts to butts
vsto pack
  • Offensive
9.9

Put people very close together with almost no space between them

means pressing or cramming closely but in neutral, nonvulgar language

Antonyms

24 3.1

To arrange or unfold things so they cover a larger area

Idioms

3 4.4

Being more successful than others in the same group

to pack a sad
  • Australian
1 9.9

To feel upset and moody after something disappointing

9.9

Put people very close together with almost no space between them

Phrasal Verbs

8 4.9

To fit many activities into a short time

7 9.9

To carry a gun on your body for protection

to pack on
  • Informal
6 4.5

To gain noticeable weight

To take only a few small bags when you travel

To press things so they fit more tightly together

to pack shit
  • Offensive
1 9.9

To put your things into bags before you travel or move, like clothes and chargers

Put fudge into boxes or wrap it in paper to make it ready to sell and give

Put clothes and things into a suitcase to get ready to leave

Compounds

39 2.1

A pack of six bottles or cans of drinks sold together

17 2.8

A small bag on a strap worn at the waist to carry personal items

15 1.8

A cold bag used on the body to reduce swelling, pain, or fever

11 3.5

A small portable unit that stores power to charge phones or run cameras

pack of lies
  • Informal
8 5.0

Stories that are completely untrue and told to trick people

6 3.2

A group of wolves that live and hunt together

pack rat
  • Informal
6 7.4

A person who keeps many things and does not throw them away

2 3.5

An animal that carries loads, like a mule or donkey

power pack
  • Specialized
2 3.9

A device that gives electric power at the right voltage for equipment

pack ice
  • Specialized
2 6.7

A large area of floating ice pushed together by wind and sea

1 4.1

A large area of floating ice pressed together in polar seas

A set of 52 cards used for playing games

1 3.7

Packaging that keeps a small product in a clear plastic bubble on cardboard

1 3.0

A clear plastic cover with small bubbles that holds a product on a piece of cardboard

1 7.3

A small North American animal like a rat with a bushy tail that collects objects

wolf pack
  • Archaic
1 7.7

A group of submarines that work together to attack enemy ships

bobbery pack
  • Archaic
9.9

A group of noisy, playful children who laugh and shout

butt pack
  • Informal
7.0

A small bag worn at the back of the waist to carry personal items

disk pack
  • Archaic
6.8

A removable set of magnetic disks used together to store computer data

face pack
  • Indian
3.4

A cream or mask you put on the face to clean and improve the skin

A small package of wet cloths that you use once to clean hands or surfaces

Moving closely in a group with other people on bikes or horses

3.4

A small light shelter you carry in a backpack when camping

A small bag you wear around your waist to carry personal items

How Tight

to crush
401 1.6
to squash
55 2.0
to pack
278 2.3
to compress
94 3.7
press
11 1.3

Surface Forms

pack infinitive
packed past
packed past participle
packing present participle
packs third person singular

Etymology

Pack meaning to press or compress comes from the same image of making things tight in a small space, like packing soil or sugar into a cup. So to pack is to press or cram items closely together.