spur

noun
UK: /spɜː/
US: /spɝː/

  1. A device with a small spike or a wheel that is worn on a rider's heel and used to urge a horse forward.

    1. He used a spur to make the horse go faster.
    2. The cowboy's boots had silver spurs attached to the heels.

  2. Something that encourages you to do something.

    1. The company received a spur from the latest investment.
    2. Rising prices can act as a spur to farmers to increase production.

Synonyms

urge incentive stimulus goad prompt
spur verb

  1. To encourage someone to do something.

    1. The coach tried to spur the team to victory.
    2. Her success spurred him on to greater efforts to win the prize.

  2. To ride a horse using spurs.

    1. He spurred his horse and galloped off.
    2. The rider spurred the horse forward to jump over the fence.
spur adjective

  1. Done quickly and without planning.

    1. It was a spur decision to visit my friend.
    2. On the spur of the moment, they decided to get married in Vegas.

Frequently Asked Questions

The word "spur" in English means: A device with a small spike or a wheel that is worn on a rider's heel and used to urge a horse forward., Something that encourages you to do something..

The phonetic transcription of "spur" is /spɜː/ in British English and /spɝː/ in American English. Click the 🔊 button to hear both pronunciations.

Synonyms for "spur": urge, incentive, stimulus, goad, prompt.

Example usage of "spur": "He used a spur to make the horse go faster.". More examples on the page.