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 spare spare /ˈspɛr/

adjective

  1. () Thin and fit  ( trim , spare )
    thin and fit
     The spare figure of a marathon runner
    the spare figure of a marathon runner
     A body kept trim by exercise
    a body kept trim by exercise
  2. () More than is needed, desired, or required  ( supererogatory , superfluous , supernumerary , excess , extra , redundant , spare , surplus )
    more than is needed, desired, or required
     Trying to lose excess weight
    trying to lose excess weight
     Found some extra change lying on the dresser
    found some extra change lying on the dresser
     Yet another book on heraldry might be thought redundant
    yet another book on heraldry might be thought redundant
     Skills made redundant by technological advance
    skills made redundant by technological advance
     Sleeping in the spare room
    sleeping in the spare room
     Supernumerary ornamentation
    supernumerary ornamentation
     It was supererogatory of her to gloat
    it was supererogatory of her to gloat
     Delete superfluous (or unnecessary) words
    delete superfluous (or unnecessary) words
     Extra ribs as well as other supernumerary internal parts
    extra ribs as well as other supernumerary internal parts
     Surplus cheese distributed to the needy
    surplus cheese distributed to the needy
  3. Lacking embellishment or ornamentation  ( bare , spare , unembellished , plain , unornamented )
    lacking embellishment or ornamentation
     A plain hair style
    a plain hair style
     Unembellished white walls
    unembellished white walls
     Functional architecture featuring stark unornamented concrete
    functional architecture featuring stark unornamented concrete
  4. Lacking in magnitude or quantity  ( spare , scanty , bare )
    lacking in magnitude or quantity
     A bare livelihood
    a bare livelihood
     A scanty harvest
    a scanty harvest
     A spare diet
    a spare diet
  5. Kept in reserve especially for emergency use  ( spare )
    kept in reserve especially for emergency use
     A reserve supply of food
    a reserve supply of food
     A spare tire
    a spare tire
     Spare parts
    spare parts
  6. Not taken up by scheduled activities  ( free , spare )
    not taken up by scheduled activities
     A free hour between classes
    a free hour between classes
     Spare time on my hands
    spare time on my hands

noun

  1. A score in tenpins; knocking down all ten after rolling two balls  ( spare )
    a score in tenpins; knocking down all ten after rolling two balls
  2. An extra car wheel and tire for a four-wheel vehicle  ( fifth wheel , spare )
    an extra car wheel and tire for a four-wheel vehicle
  3. An extra component of a machine or other apparatus  ( spare , spare part )
    an extra component of a machine or other apparatus

verb

  1. () Refrain from harming  ( save , spare )
    refrain from harming
      James decided to spare his sister's feelings and didn't mention her embarrassing moment.
    James decided to spare his sister's feelings and didn't mention her embarrassing moment.
  2. () Give up what is not strictly needed  ( part with , dispense with , give up , spare )
    give up what is not strictly needed
     He asked if they could spare one of their horses to speed his journey
    he asked if they could spare one of their horses to speed his journey
  3. () Save or relieve from an experience or action  ( spare )
    save or relieve from an experience or action
     I'll spare you from having to apologize formally
    I'll spare you from having to apologize formally
  4. Use frugally or carefully  ( spare )
    use frugally or carefully