Sparsely - Meaning, Definition & English Examples
Sparsely means something is thinly scattered, distributed, or occurring in small amounts over a large area. It describes places, populations, or things that are few and far between.
Definition:
In small numbers or amounts; thinly scattered or distributed.
Synonyms:
thinly, lightly, scantily, meagerly
Part of Speech:
adverb
Antonyms:
densely, thickly, heavily
Common Collocations:
sparsely populated, sparsely furnished, sparsely distributed, sparsely covered
Derivatives:
sparse, sparseness, sparsity
Usage Tips:
Use "sparsely" to describe something scattered thinly or occurring in small quantities over an area.
Common Phrases:
sparsely populated area, sparsely furnished room, sparsely attended event
Etymology:
Derived from Latin "sparsus," meaning scattered or dispersed; entered English via Old French "espars."
Examples:
- 1. The village is sparsely populated due to its remote location.
- 2. She decorated the room sparsely with only a few pieces of furniture.
- 3. The desert is sparsely covered with shrubs and cacti.
- 4. The bookshelf was sparsely filled with just a handful of novels.