spare meaning and definition

SPARE noun

Definition of spare (noun)

1. an extra component of a machine or other apparatus
   • synonyms: spare part
2. an extra car wheel and tire for a four-wheel vehicle
   • synonyms: fifth wheel
3. a score in tenpins; knocking down all ten after rolling two balls

SPARE verb

Definition of spare (verb)

1. refrain from harming
   • synonyms: save
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"
   • synonyms: dispense with, give up, part with
4. use frugally or carefully

SPARE adjective

Definition of spare (adjective)

1. thin and fit
   • "the spare figure of a marathon runner"; "a body kept trim by exercise"
   • synonyms: trim
2. more than is needed, desired, or required
   • "trying to lose excess weight"; "found some extra change lying on the dresser"; "yet another book on heraldry might be thought redundant"; "skills made redundant by technological advance"; "sleeping in the spare room"; "supernumerary ornamentation"; "it was supererogatory of her to gloat"; "delete superfluous (or unnecessary) words"; "extra ribs as well as other supernumerary internal parts"; "surplus cheese distributed to the needy"
   • synonyms: excess, extra, redundant, supererogatory, superfluous, supernumerary, surplus
3. not taken up by scheduled activities
   • "a free hour between classes"; "spare time on my hands"
   • synonyms: free
4. kept in reserve especially for emergency use
   • "a reserve supply of food"; "a spare tire"; "spare parts"
5. lacking in amplitude or quantity
   • "a bare livelihood"; "a scanty harvest"; "a spare diet"
   • synonyms: bare, scanty
6. lacking embellishment or ornamentation
   • "a plain hair style"; "unembellished white walls"; "functional architecture featuring stark unornamented concrete"
   • synonyms: bare, plain, unembellished, unornamented