Spare meaning

What does “spare” mean? Definitions, examples, synonyms and opposites.

“spare” is a noun, verb and adjective with 13 meanings. Its most common meaning is: an extra component of a machine or other apparatus.

spare

noun

  1. an extra component of a machine or other apparatus

    Synonymsspare part
  2. an extra car wheel and tire for a four-wheel vehicle

    Synonymsfifth wheel
  3. a score in tenpins; knocking down all ten after rolling two balls

verb

  1. refrain from harming

    Synonymssave
  2. save or relieve from an experience or action

    “I'll spare you from having to apologize formally”

  3. give up what is not strictly needed

    “he asked if they could spare one of their horses to speed his journey”

  4. use frugally or carefully

adjective

  1. thin and fit

    “the spare figure of a marathon runner”

    “a body kept trim by exercise”

    Synonymstrim
  2. more than is needed, desired, or required

    “trying to lose excess weight”

    “found some extra change lying on the dresser”

  3. not taken up by scheduled activities

    “a free hour between classes”

    “spare time on my hands”

    Synonymsfree
  4. kept in reserve especially for emergency use

    “a reserve supply of food”

    “a spare tire”

  5. lacking in magnitude or quantity

    “a bare livelihood”

    “a scanty harvest”

    Synonymsbarescanty
  6. lacking embellishment or ornamentation

    “a plain hair style”

    “unembellished white walls”

Source: WordNet 3.1, Princeton University