spare spare /ˈspɛr/

adjective

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

noun

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

verb

1. () Refrain from harming  ( save , spare )
   refrain from harming
     James decided to spare his sister's feelings and didn't mention her embarrassing moment.
   James decided to spare his sister's feelings and didn't mention her embarrassing moment.
   
2. () Give up what is not strictly needed  ( part with , dispense with , give up , spare )
   give up what is not strictly needed
    He asked if they could spare one of their horses to speed his journey
   he asked if they could spare one of their horses to speed his journey
   
3. () Save or relieve from an experience or action  ( spare )
   save or relieve from an experience or action
    I'll spare you from having to apologize formally
   I'll spare you from having to apologize formally
   
4. Use frugally or carefully  ( spare )
   use frugally or carefully