Sparingly is defined as something done in a frugal manner, or something done in a manner meant to conserve what is remaining. An example of sparingly is when you add only a tiny dash of salt because you are running out and you want to use as little as possible.

Where did the word sparingly come from?

Old English sparian "to refrain from harming, be indulgent to, allow to go free; use sparingly," from the source of Old English spær "sparing, frugal," from Proto-Germanic. Meaning "to dispense from one's own stock, give or yield up," is recorded from early 13c. Related: Spared; sparing.

What word means to use sparingly?

manage thriftily. save for a rainy day. scrimp. skimp. go easy on.