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Meaning of spare in English

  1. Pronunciation

    /spɛr/

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  1. Verb

    spare

    Definitions

    1. refrain from harming
  2. 2. save or relieve from an experience or action

    Examples

    • « I'll spare you from having to apologize formally »
  3. 3. give up what is not strictly needed

    Examples

    • « he asked if they could spare one of their horses to speed his journey »
  4. 4. use frugally or carefully
  5. Classifying Adjective

    spare

    Definitions

    1. thin and fit

    Examples

    • « the spare figure of a marathon runner »
    • « a body kept trim by exercise »

    Synonyms

    • thin
    • lean
  6. 2. more than is needed, desired, or required

    Examples

    • « trying to lose excess weight »
    • « found some extra change lying on the dresser »
    • « yet another book on heraldry might be thought redundant »
    • « skills made redundant by technological advance »
    • « sleeping in the spare »

    Synonyms

    • unnecessary
    • unneeded
  7. 3. just sufficient

    Examples

    • « the library had a spare but efficient look »

    Synonyms

    • sufficient
  8. 4. not taken up by scheduled activities

    Examples

    • « a free hour between classes »
    • « spare time on my hands »

    Synonyms

    • unoccupied
  9. 5. kept in reserve especially for emergency use

    Examples

    • « a reserve supply of food »
    • « a spare tire »
    • « spare parts »

    Synonyms

    • unnecessary
    • unneeded
  10. 6. lacking in amplitude or quantity

    Examples

    • « a bare livelihood »
    • « a scanty harvest »
    • « a spare diet »

    Synonyms

    • meager
    • meagre
    • meagerly
  11. Noun

    spare

    Definitions

    1. an extra component of a machine or other apparatus
  12. 2. an extra car wheel and tire for a four-wheel vehicle
  13. 3. a score in tenpins

    Examples

    • « knocking down all ten after rolling two balls »

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