adjective

sparse

/spɑːrs/ · say it: spahrs

thinly scattered or distributed

In Describing & Comparing

In more detail

1. (adjective) thinly spread or distributed; not dense or thick

2. (adjective) small in number or amount; few

Examples

1. The sparse vegetation in the desert makes it difficult for animals to find food.
2. The audience was sparse, with only a few people in the theater.

How to use sparse

Sparse describes something that is thinly distributed or limited in quantity, often implying an absence or scarcity that is notable. It is more formal and technical than 'thin' or 'few,' and frequently appears in academic, scientific, and data-related contexts. Unlike 'scarce,' which emphasizes shortage or rarity, sparse emphasizes the physical or spatial distribution of what exists.

Common phrases

sparse vegetation
sparse population
sparse data
sparse coverage
sparse information
sparse evidence

Synonyms

scattered · thin · scanty · meager · infrequent

Opposites

dense · thick · abundant

Word family

sparsely (adverb) · sparseness (noun) · sparsity (noun)

A common mistake

Learners sometimes confuse sparse with scarce; sparse refers to thin distribution across space or time, while scarce means something is in short supply relative to demand.

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