Comprehensive
Dictionary Suite
Help
Help
Help
 
     
Lookup History
spare

spare

 
 
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
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
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
definition 5: to allow; afford.
Please spare me a minute of your time.
synonyms:
afford, allow
similar words:
give, grant, provide, supply, yield
definition 6: to keep from including or talking about.
Spare me the sad stories.
similar words:
omit, withhold
Word CombinationsSubscriber feature About this feature
 
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
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
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
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
Word CombinationsSubscriber feature About this feature
 
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.
Word CombinationsSubscriber feature About this feature
derivations: sparely (adv.), spareness (n.)