What does sparse mean?
Sparse describes something that is thinly distributed, only lightly populated, or present in limited amounts. It is often applied to vegetation, settlements, populations, and concentrations of objects: a sparse forest has widely separated trees, while a sparse array has only a small number of occupied positions. The word can also have a technical use in mathematics and computing, where a sparse matrix contains relatively few nonzero entries. Unlike the general word thin, sparse usually emphasizes distribution or the absence of density across an area or structure. It is useful when describing resources, information, or physical arrangements that are limited rather than continuous or concentrated. The word comes through French from Latin sparsus, a participle meaning “scattered” or “spread out.”
adjectiveThinly dispersed, scattered, or only lightly populated. Sparse describes something that is distributed in small amounts or at wide intervals rather than forming a dense or continuous whole.
- Thinly dispersed or only lightly populated.
- Existing or occurring in small amounts or at wide intervals.
- In computing or mathematics, containing relatively few nonzero or significant elements.
"The valley has a sparse population, with only a few homes scattered along the road."
"Sparse shrubs and dry grasses covered the rocky hillside."
"The researchers used a sparse data set to represent the network efficiently."
In mathematics and computing, a sparse matrix contains only a small proportion of nonzero entries, making it efficient for many kinds of data.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does sparse come from?
The English word comes from Middle French sparse, from Latin sparsus, the past participle of spargere, meaning “to scatter” or “to spread out.” Latin sparsus developed the sense of being strewn or distributed here and there, which led to the modern adjective meaning thinly dispersed or only lightly populated. The same Latin root also underlies English forms such as sparsity and sparseness, while sparge reflects the related Latin verb meaning to scatter or sprinkle.
Related word forms
How sparse is actually used
Sparse is commonly used for populations, vegetation, data, and matrices. In technical contexts it can suggest that a structure contains many zero or unused elements, rather than simply that it is physically thin.
Easily confused with sparse
Sparse means thinly distributed or occurring in limited numbers, whereas spare means extra, available, or not needed.
Sparse describes a scattered or limited distribution, while parse means to analyze and interpret text or data.