thin crowd

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "thin crowd" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a gathering of people that is sparse or not well-attended. Example: "Despite the excitement for the concert, the venue was filled with a thin crowd, leaving the atmosphere somewhat lackluster."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Arts

Sports

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

As rain mixed with snow and the already thin crowd at Giants Stadium thinned even more, he was ready to rumble when overtime began.

The New York Times - Sports

He didn't regard the thin crowd with disdain, or disappointment.

The New York Times - Arts

A few drag queens, business-casual boozers and curious natives rounded out the thin crowd.

The New York Times

All in the hope that the new you will be deemed worthy by the thin crowd.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

They made an awkward mess, fascinating in the details but harsh enough to thin an already thin crowd.

The New York Times - Arts

Couples who appeared to be out on a date dominated the thin crowd on one warm autumn evening.

The New York Times - Travel

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

Disneyland reopened, but to thin crowds.

The New York Times

Opposition protests in several other Russian cities drew only thin crowds.

The New York Times

Throw in thin crowds and short lift lines, and what's not to like?

The New York Times - Travel

Instead we see bands of civilians under attack from bands of thugs, gunshots, flames, thin crowds chased through side streets.

The New Yorker

It took me a little while to realize that, despite the thin crowds, many of the aisles had already been stripped of goods.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing events or locations, use "thin crowd" to convey a sense of low attendance or sparse population. This is particularly effective in news reports, reviews, or descriptive writing where conveying the scale of attendance is important.

Common error

Avoid using "thin crowd" solely as a negative judgment. While it describes low attendance, provide context to explain why the crowd was small, such as weather, competing events, or time of day, to offer a balanced perspective.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "thin crowd" functions as a descriptive noun phrase. "Thin" modifies "crowd", indicating a small or sparse gathering. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English, as seen across various sources.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Arts

15%

Sports

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "thin crowd" effectively describes a sparsely populated gathering. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is grammatically correct and frequently used, especially in news and media contexts to objectively depict attendance levels. While generally neutral, context is crucial; avoid using it solely as a negative judgment without providing additional explanation. Consider alternatives like "sparse gathering" or "small turnout" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey. The consistent usage across authoritative sources reinforces its reliability and acceptability in both formal and informal writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sparse gathering

Replaces 'thin' with 'sparse' and 'crowd' with 'gathering', emphasizing the scattered nature of the group.

scant attendance

Synonymous to poor attendance, scant emphasises the lack of people.

small turnout

Focuses on the number of people who attended, using 'turnout' to indicate attendance.

slim attendance

Slim suggests that people presence is reduced in number.

poor attendance

Highlights the lack of attendees, using 'attendance' to refer to the act of being present.

lightly attended event

Emphasizes the event itself being sparsely attended.

underpopulated gathering

Uses 'underpopulated' to describe the gathering as having fewer people than expected.

meager audience

Replaces 'crowd' with 'audience', suggesting a performance or presentation context, and uses 'meager' to describe its size.

reduced numbers

Focuses on the quantity of people, indicating a decrease in the expected or usual amount.

limited participation

Highlights the lack of involvement or engagement from a smaller group.

FAQs

How can I use "thin crowd" in a sentence?

You can use "thin crowd" to describe a situation where there are fewer people than expected or desired. For instance, "The concert was poorly attended, with only a "thin crowd" showing up."

What are some alternatives to saying "thin crowd"?

Alternatives include "sparse gathering", "small turnout", or "poor attendance", depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "thin crowd" in formal writing?

Yes, "thin crowd" is appropriate in formal writing, particularly in news reports or analytical pieces where you need to objectively describe the size of a gathering. Its usage is neutral and descriptive.

What does "thin crowd" imply about an event or location?

A "thin crowd" typically implies that the event or location is not as popular, well-attended, or lively as expected. However, it doesn't necessarily carry a negative connotation; it simply describes the number of people present.