What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
scarce
Example
Water is scarce in this desert region. [scarce: adjective]
Example
The pandemic has made jobs scarce in the hospitality industry. [scarce: adjective]
sparse
Example
The forest was sparse with trees. [sparse: adjective]
Example
The town's population is sparse, with only a few hundred residents. [sparse: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Scarce is more commonly used than sparse in everyday language. Scarce is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while sparse is less common and more specific in its usage.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between scarce and sparse?
Both scarce and sparse are considered formal words and are appropriate for use in academic or professional writing.
