sparser; sparsest
: present only in small amounts : less than necessary or normal
Reliable data is sparse.
especially
: thinly covering an area : not thick or full
sparse vegetation
a sparse beard
Cite this Entry
“Sparse.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/sparse. Accessed 23 Jun. 2026.
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