adjective
Related Words
See scanty.
Other Word Forms
- sparsely adverb
- sparseness noun
- sparsity noun
- unsparse adjective
Etymology
Origin of sparse
First recorded in 1715–25; from Latin sparsus, past participle of spargere “to scatter,” sparge
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The Lower Woodies had a sparser insurance policy, but more wiggle room in its rules about rebuilding.
The price of Venezuelan crude isn’t easy to track given the U.S.’s wide-sweeping sanctions imposed on its oil industry, with only sparse data available for the 2020s.
From MarketWatch
Authorities in the region have urged winter sports fans to be cautious, including because of an avalanche risk despite sparse snowfall.
From Barron's
He used sparse lighting to create ominous atmospheres in his work that he would punctuate with distorted images and unsettling ambient noises.
But Mr Jouny said that over a period of two weeks G4S, which supplies catering at the school, had delivered a service that ranged from "a very, very sparse offering to normal".
From BBC
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
