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.
European and U.K. economic data will be somewhat sparse as most markets are closed on Monday for the Easter holiday.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 3, 2026
The post included an animated map of sparse maritime traffic traveling through the waterway.
From MarketWatch • Mar. 24, 2026
The movie’s real draw is its blissfully sinister sound design, which utilizes the podcaster lifestyle to go full maximalist while the film’s visual landscape remains sparse and disquieting.
From Salon • Mar. 15, 2026
It was selected for planting because of the sparse natural regeneration.
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 13, 2026
With the tips of her fingers, El touches my cheeks and, for the first time, I notice the sparse tears rolling down my face.
From "Dumplin'" by Julie Murphy
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.
