Meaning & Definition of Spare in English

1. An extra component of a machine or other apparatus

2. An extra car wheel and tire for a four-wheel vehicle

3. A score in tenpins

• Knocking down all ten after rolling two balls

1. Refrain from harming

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"

4. Use frugally or carefully

1. Thin and fit

• "The spare figure of a marathon runner"

• "A body kept trim by exercise"

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"

3. Not taken up by scheduled activities

• "A free hour between classes"

• "Spare time on my hands"

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"

6. Lacking embellishment or ornamentation

• "A plain hair style"

• "Unembellished white walls"

• "Functional architecture featuring stark unornamented concrete"