sparse
Spread out thinly, with only a small amount in each place.
sparse in a sentence
- Only a few sparse tufts of grass grew on the rocky mountainside.
- Grandad's hair is sparse now, just a few thin strands combed carefully across the top.
Try an 11+ style question
Verbal reasoning papers often ask about a word like this.
Which word is closest in meaning to sparse?
- Athick
- Bplentiful
- Cthin
- Ddense
Show the answer
C: thin. The other three mean the opposite of sparse.
Which word is most nearly opposite in meaning to sparse?
- Athin
- Bscattered
- Cfew
- Dthick
Show the answer
D: thick. The other three mean nearly the same as sparse.
Words that mean something similar
thin, scattered, few
Words that mean the opposite
thick, dense, plentiful
More words about size & amount
- stupendous: Amazingly large or impressive.
- substantial: Large enough to matter.
- sufficient: As much as is needed; enough.
- superfluous: More than is needed, and so not necessary.
- superior: Better, higher or more important than others.
- surplus: An amount left over when you have more than you need.
- swarm: A large moving crowd of insects or people.
- teem: To be completely full of moving things.
More words to explore
Sitting the 11+ in Kent, Medway or Buckinghamshire?
Plain-English guides to each test, from the councils’ own pages: Kent Test · Medway Test · Bucks Secondary Transfer Test