sparse

sparse

adjective \ˈspärs\

spars·erspars·est

Definition of SPARSE

: of few and scattered elements; especially : not thickly grown or settled

— sparse·ly adverb

— sparse·ness noun

— spar·si·ty \ˈspär-sə-tē, -stē\ noun

Examples of SPARSE

1. <open land is sparse around here>

Origin of SPARSE

Latin sparsus spread out, from past participle of spargere to scatter — more at spark

First Known Use: 1753

Related to SPARSE

Synonyms

exiguous, hand-to-mouth, light, niggardly, poor, scant, scanty, scarce, skimp, skimpy, slender, slim, spare, sparing, meager, stingy

Antonyms

abundant, ample, bountiful, copious, generous, liberal, plenteous, plentiful

Related Words

deficient, inadequate, insufficient, lacking, short, wanting; bare, bare-bones; least, littlest, lowest, mere, minimal, slightest; slight, small, thin; barren, infertile, sterile, unfruitful, unproductive

Near Antonyms

adequate, enough, satisfactory, sufficient, tolerable; fat, fecund, fertile, fruitful, prolific, rich; lavish, luxuriant; blooming, bursting, flourishing, proliferative, swarming, teeming, thriving; excess, extra, surplus

See Synonym Discussion at meager

Rhymes with SPARSE

farce, parse