sparsely worn

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sparsely worn" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is not frequently used or has minimal wear, such as clothing or accessories. Example: "The jacket was sparsely worn, showing only a few signs of use despite being several years old."

✓ Grammatically correct

Wiki

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

While both settings seem to suggest that Madonna's characters live in the barrio and may be Latina themselves, the portrayal of Madonna in the dancing scenes (lush, flashy, colorful) contrasts with the Latinos in the street (sparsely worn out dresses).

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

The space is small, drab and windowless, sparsely furnished with snack machines and worn khaki chairs, a far cry from cocktail waitresses and gleaming slot machines.

The New York Times

Much of the clothing was brand new, but some of the 26 pairs of shoes had been worn, and a bright orange woman's wig was found over the back of a chair, along with a pair of newly pressed men's underpants, in Mr. Williams's otherwise sparsely decorated but conspicuously tidy bedroom.

The New York Times

Sitting in his small, sparsely decorated office, Bishara was wearing a soft denim shirt and chain-smoking Marlboros.

The New York Times - Magazine

In the winter Tsien wears a jacket in his chilly, sparsely decorated office.

Forbes

Adler, who in Hollywood had driven the best cars, lived in large houses and always wore the best clothes, lived exceptionally modestly in a small, untidy and sparsely furnished flat in Hampstead.

The Guardian

It begins with a character so sparsely drawn he barely exists, though you are intrigued immediately by the American football helmet he is wearing while sitting in an armchair.

The Guardian - Books

Wearing a black sweater, black pants, black slippers and her hair pulled back in a knot, Ms. Alexis read the statement from her small, sparsely decorated living room in the Bedford-Stuyvesant section of Brooklyn.

The New York Times

Its monastic practices included adult baptism by treble immersion, the wearing of Catholic-style monastic garb, Sabbatarianism, long days of work and prayer, a Spartan diet of one vegetarian meal a day and accommodation in tiny, sparsely furnished cells.

The New York Times - Arts

For one thing, the room in which the match was played appeared to have been hastily, and only sparsely, furnished, with a scattering of sofas and chairs and little on the walls but a large black-and-white photograph of Colonel Qaddafi wearing a military uniform, in favored heroic pose.

The New York Times

And after seeing Dietrich in one of her Jean Louis gowns, with sequins or swaths of tulle sparsely arranged in the right places, Tallulah Bankhead observed: "I saw Marlene just before her opening, and she told me she didn't have a thing to wear!

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing clothing or accessories, use "sparsely worn" to emphasize minimal signs of use, suggesting the item is in good condition despite being previously owned.

Common error

Avoid using "sparsely worn" when simply indicating an item isn't new. "Lightly used" might better convey the general condition without specifically highlighting the lack of wear.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sparsely worn" functions as a descriptive adjective modifying a noun, typically referring to clothing or accessories. It indicates a state of minimal wear or use, as supported by Ludwig AI's assessment and the available examples.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Wiki

33%

Encyclopedias

33%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "sparsely worn" is a grammatically sound phrase used to describe items, especially clothing, that show minimal signs of use. While considered correct by Ludwig AI, its frequency is rare, suggesting that alternative phrases like "lightly used" or "rarely worn" might be more common. The phrase carries a neutral tone and can be utilized effectively in various contexts to emphasize the good condition of an item due to infrequent use. Be mindful of the context; "lightly used" might be more fitting when a general assessment of condition is needed, rather than explicitly highlighting the absence of wear. The phrase has slightly more usage in "News & Media", "Wiki", and "Encyclopedias".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lightly used

Focuses on the degree of use rather than the wear itself.

rarely used

Emphasizes the infrequency of use, implying minimal wear.

infrequently worn

Highlights the lack of wearing occasions.

scarcely worn

Similar to 'rarely worn', but with a slightly more formal tone.

hardly ever worn

An informal way of saying 'rarely worn'.

worn occasionally

Indicates that the item has been worn, but not very often.

gently used

Implies careful use, resulting in minimal wear.

slightly used

Indicates a small amount of use, implying minimal wear.

worn sparingly

Highlights the careful and infrequent wearing of the item.

seldom worn

A more formal synonym for 'rarely worn'.

FAQs

What does "sparsely worn" mean?

"Sparsely worn" describes an item, typically clothing, that has been worn or used very little, showing minimal signs of wear or damage.

What can I say instead of "sparsely worn"?

You can use alternatives like "lightly used", "rarely worn", or "gently used" depending on the context.

How do you use "sparsely worn" in a sentence?

Example: "The jacket was "sparsely worn", showing only a few signs of use despite being several years old."

Is "sparsely worn" formal or informal?

"Sparsely worn" is relatively neutral in tone. While not overly formal, it is suitable for descriptive writing and could be used in both casual and professional contexts.