spare
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About Our Definitions: All forms of a word (noun, verb, etc.) are now displayed on one page.1spare
verb \ˈsper\sparedspar·ing
Definition of SPARE
transitive verb
1
: to forbear to destroy, punish, or harm
2
: to refrain from attacking or reprimanding with necessary or salutary severity
3
: to relieve of the necessity of doing or undergoing something <spare yourself the trouble>
4
: to refrain from : avoid <spared no expense>
5
: to use or dispense frugally —used chiefly in the negative <don't spare the syrup>
6
a : to give up as not strictly needed <do you have any cash to spare> b : to have left over or as margin <time to spare>
intransitive verb
1
: to be frugal
2
: to refrain from doing harm
— spare·able \-ə-bəl\ adjective
— spar·er noun
See Examples of SPARE
- No one knows why the gunman shot some people and spared others.
- Somehow the storm spared our house while nearby buildings were destroyed.
- She was spared from having to answer any more questions.
- He wanted to spare his family from the stress he had endured.
- I could have spared myself the trouble.
- He spared them the embarrassment of a public apology.
- If you could spare a cup of sugar, it would save me a trip to the store.
Origin of SPARE
Middle English, from Old English sparian; akin to Old High German sparōn to spare, Old English spær, adjective, scant
First Known Use: before 12th century
Related to SPARE
- Synonyms
- nurse, scant, skimp (on), stint (on)
- Antonyms
- waste
2spare
adjectivespar·erspar·est
Definition of SPARE
1
: not being used; especially : held for emergency use <a spare tire>
2
: being over and above what is needed : superfluous <spare time>
3
: not liberal or profuse : sparing <a spare prose style>
4
: healthily lean
5
: not abundant or plentiful
— spare·ly adverb
— spare·ness noun
Examples of SPARE
- a spare pair of gloves
- I keep a spare set of keys in my desk.
- He has a spare frame.
- He was tall and spare.
- I like her spare style of writing.
Origin of SPARE
Middle English, from Old English spær sparing, scant; akin to Old High German spar spare
First Known Use: 14th century
Related to SPARE
- Synonyms
- excess, extra, redundant, supererogatory, superfluous, supernumerary, surplus
- Antonyms
- bounteous, bountiful, charitable, freehanded, generous, liberal, munificent, openhanded, unsparing, unstinting
3spare
nounDefinition of SPARE
1
a : a spare tire b : a duplicate (as a key or a machine part) kept in reserve
2
: the knocking down of all 10 pins with the first 2 balls in a frame in bowling
Examples of SPARE
- “I've lost the key.” “You'll find a spare in the drawer.”
- If that one breaks, I've got a spare.
- Most cars come with spares.
- He got a strike and two spares.
First Known Use of SPARE
1907
Other Automotive Terms
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