Spare

/spɛə(ɹ)/ · adjective

Meaning

Extra..

Definitions by Sense

1. Extra.
2. Not plentiful.
3. (UK, informal) Very angry; frustrated or distraught.
4. The act of sparing; moderation; restraint.
5. Parsimony; frugal use.
6. An opening in a petticoat or gown; a placket.
7. That which has not been used or expended.
8. A spare part.

Example Sentences

When he found out that someone had broken the window, he went spare.

The poor girl is going spare, stuck in the house all day with the kids like that.

“That'll drive him spare.”

My grandfather (unaware that he was using antique terms) would often say ruefully that I would drive him spare. The idea was that my behaviour would so dement him as to drive him berserk.

men slaine, then without any spare at all they trampled over the dead carkasses

Pourd out their plenty, without spight or spare:

an heir and a spare

The whole Heir versus Spare thing? Wasn't it a bit late for that tired childhood dynamic?

Synonyms for spare

Antonyms for spare

Related Words

Word Forms

• sparer
• sparest
• spares
• sparing
• spared
• no-table-tags
• glossary
• spare
• sparedst
• spareth
• -

Usage Notes

Choose a synonym only when it preserves the intended meaning, tone, and grammar of the full sentence.

Practice and Learn More

Frequently Asked Questions