Need another word for Sparse? Use these synonyms of Sparse from our thesaurus to say it differently.
Synonyms & Similar Words
scant
scarce
meager
lean
thin
slight
slender
limited
restricted
few
scattered
isolated
sporadic
infrequent
rare
uncommon
occasional
intermittent
patchy
sketchy
incomplete
inadequate
insufficient
bare
barren
desolate
empty
vacant
unfrequented
Meaning of Sparse
The primary meaning of the word "Sparse" is not densely populated or plentiful.
Definitions
- Not densely populated or plentiful
- (Of a population or vegetation) thinly scattered or distributed
- (Of a text or writing style) using few words or being concise
Etymology of Sparse
The word "Sparse" comes from the Latin "sparsus", which is the past participle of "spargere", meaning to scatter or disperse.
Historically, the word has been used in English since the 15th century to describe something that is scattered or dispersed, and over time its meaning has expanded to include connotations of scarcity or thinness.
Example Uses
- The village was sparse and rural, with only a few houses scattered across the landscape.
- The tree's branches were sparse and bare, providing little shade from the sun.
- The data was sparse and incomplete, making it difficult to draw conclusions.