Spare
/spɛər/
Definitions
3 meaningsTo refrain from harming, destroying, or using; to set aside or keep available.
/spɛər/
To refrain from harming or destroying; to save or keep available for future use.
The judge spared the prisoner from execution.
💡 Simply: Imagine you're deciding what to do with the last slice of pizza. To *spare* it means to hold back from eating it right now, maybe for later or for someone else. It's about choosing not to use or harm something.
👶 For kids: To not use something or to save it for later.
More Examples
I will spare you the details of the long and boring meeting.
Can you spare a few minutes to help me?
How It's Used
"I decided to spare the last cookie for my friend."
"The doctor managed to spare the patient's life."
"We need to spare some resources for the future."
Available in addition to what is required; extra or not in use; lean or thin.
/spɛər/
Available for use; extra; not being used; lean or thin.
Do you have a spare pen I could borrow?
💡 Simply: Imagine you have a second toothbrush, just in case. That toothbrush is *spare*. It's extra and not being used unless you need it.
👶 For kids: Something extra that you have but aren't using right now.
More Examples
She was looking a bit spare after the illness.
He kept a spare set of keys hidden under the doormat.
How It's Used
"He had a spare tire in the trunk."
"She had a spare frame, but was incredibly strong."
"Do you have a spare key for the apartment?"
A duplicate or extra item kept in reserve, such as a spare tire or a spare key; in bowling, knocking down all pins with two balls.
/spɛər/
Something that is additional or kept in reserve, such as a key or tire.
Always keep a spare key hidden somewhere.
💡 Simply: Imagine you have a spare key to your house. That key is a *spare*, an extra one just in case you lose the original. Also, in bowling, getting a spare is when you knock all the pins down with two throws instead of one.
👶 For kids: Something extra you have just in case.
More Examples
He got a spare and won the game.
The car was equipped with a spare tire.
How It's Used
"The car had a spare tire in the trunk."
"He got a spare in the tenth frame."
Synonyms
Conserve
Preserve
Refrain
Save
Additional
Available
Extra
Lean
Reserve
Backup
Duplicate
Idioms & expressions
have a spare moment
To be free for a short time
"I'll ask him if he can spare a moment to speak with me."
From Old English *sparian* 'to save, refrain from harming'. Related to German *sparen* and Dutch *sparen*.
The word 'spare' has been used since the early Middle Ages with the meaning of 'to save or protect'.