We use sparse to say that something is spread out and not dense. It means there is only a little of something in a big area.
The trees were sparse in the open field.
Her hair became sparse with age.
Sparse can also mean there is only a small amount of something, like information or rainfall, not enough or less than usual.
The report gave sparse information on the event.
There was sparse rainfall this year.
In science and technology, sparse means there are few items or pieces of data compared to the total possible or expected number. It shows low density or coverage.
Sparse data makes analysis hard to do.
The matrix is sparse with many zero values.
We use sparse to describe plants that grow far apart and not thickly together, often in dry or poor soil areas.
The desert has sparse plants and bushes.
Sparse grass grows in dry places.
When talking about writing or speaking, sparse means using few words or details. It is short and not full of extra information.
His explanations were sparse but clear.
The letter was sparse and to the point.
Sparse means people or houses are spread out with large spaces between them. It shows low numbers in a wide area.
The population is sparse in rural areas.
Sparse settlements are common there.
