spare

adjective
UK: /speər/
US: /sper/

  1. Extra or available to use if needed.

    1. Do you have a spare pen I could borrow? [ ] [ ]
    2. Luckily, I had a spare tire in the trunk, so we could change the flat. [ ] [ ]

  2. Used for storing or keeping things that are not currently in use.

    1. We keep our spare blankets in the closet. [ ] [ ]
    2. The spare room is usually cold because we don't heat it regularly. [ ] [ ]

Synonyms

extra reserve forgo relinquish
spare verb

  1. To give time, money, or space to someone or something when you have enough available.

    1. Can you spare me a moment of your time? [ ] [ ]
    2. I can't spare any money for a new car right now; I'm saving for a house. [ ] [ ]

  2. To avoid causing someone pain or damage.

    1. The thief spared the old woman during the robbery. [ ] [ ]
    2. The hurricane spared our town, but others were badly damaged. [ ] [ ]
spare noun

  1. An extra item that is available for use if another item breaks or is lost.

    1. Keep a spare key hidden outside. [ ] [ ]
    2. We brought a spare tire on our road trip, just in case. [ ] [ ]

  2. In bowling, knocking down all the pins with two balls.

    1. He got a spare in the first frame. [ ] [ ]
    2. Getting a spare is good for your score in bowling. [ ] [ ]

Frequently Asked Questions

The word "spare" in English means: Extra or available to use if needed., Used for storing or keeping things that are not currently in use..

The phonetic transcription of "spare" is /speər/ in British English and /sper/ in American English. Click the 🔊 button to hear both pronunciations.

Synonyms for "spare": extra, reserve, forgo, relinquish.

Example usage of "spare": "Do you have a spare pen I could borrow?". More examples on the page.