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spare
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- pronunciation:
- speIr
- parts of speech:
- verb, adjective, noun
- features:
- Word Combinations (verb, adjective, noun)
| part of speech: |
verb |
| inflections: |
spares, sparing, spared |
| definition 1: |
to handle gently; to not hurt.
Since it was the first time the young man had broken any law, the judge decided to spare him. |
| definition 2: |
to save from something or having to do something.
He was spared having to wait.- synonyms:
- save
- similar words:
- acquit, exempt, let off, liberate, pardon, redeem, release, rescue
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| definition 3: |
to refrain from hurting or destroying (something).
We spared his feelings by not talking about his mistakes.The man begged his captors to spare his life.- similar words:
- avoid, conserve, protect, safeguard, shelter, shield, withhold
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| definition 4: |
to use a little amount of.
Please try to spare the hot water.- synonyms:
- conserve, save
- antonyms:
- waste
- similar words:
- hoard, hold, keep, omit, reserve, restrain, scrimp on, withhold
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| definition 5: |
to allow; afford.
Please spare me a minute of your time.- synonyms:
- afford, allow
- similar words:
- give, grant, provide, supply, yield
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| definition 6: |
to keep from including or talking about.
Spare me the sad stories.- similar words:
- omit, withhold
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| part of speech: |
adjective |
| inflections: |
sparer, sparest |
| definition 1: |
kept for later use.
He has a spare battery in the garage.- similar words:
- auxiliary, extra, on hand
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| definition 2: |
being more than needed.
I don't have any spare money to give.- synonyms:
- surplus
- similar words:
- additional, auxiliary, excess, extra, odd, unnecessary
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| definition 3: |
thin; lean.
He is such a spare boy from not eating enough.- synonyms:
- lean, slight
- antonyms:
- stout
- similar words:
- gaunt, lanky, meager, scrawny, skinny, slender, thin
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| definition 4: |
barely enough; small in amount.
The poor man sat down to eat a spare meal.- synonyms:
- frugal, meager, scant
- antonyms:
- profuse
- similar words:
- slender, stingy
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| related words: |
insufficient, lean, light, more, narrow, scant, slim |
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| part of speech: |
noun |
| definition 1: |
an item that is put aside for future use.
We have a spare in case we get a flat tire. |
| definition 2: |
the knocking down of all pins with two rolls of the ball in bowling.
He only got three pins with his first ball, but he picked up the spare with his second try. |
| related words: |
way |
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| derivations: |
sparely (adv.), spareness (n.) |
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