SPARE
adjective
Definitions
- 1. Scanty; not abundant or plentiful; as, a spare diet.
- 2. Sparing; frugal; parsimonious; chary. He was spare, but discreet of speech. Carew.
- 3. Being over and above what is necessary, or what must be used or reserved; not wanted, or not used; superfluous; as, I have no spare time. If that no spare clothes he had to give. Spenser.
- 4. Held in reserve, to be used in an emergency; as, a spare anchor; a spare bed or room.
- 5. Lean; wanting flesh; meager; thin; gaunt. O, give me the spare men, and spare me the great ones. Shak.
- 6. Slow. [Obs. or prov. Eng.] Grose.
Other Definitions
This word also has 2 other definitions:
SPARE
(noun)
1. The act of sparing; moderation; restraint. [Obs.] Killing for sacrifice, without any spare. Holland.
2. Parsimony; frugal use. [Obs.] Bacon. Poure...
SPARE
(verb)
1. To use frugally or stintingly, as that which is scarce or valuable; to retain or keep unused; to save. "No cost would he spare." Chaucer. [Thou] th...
Added: October 09, 2025
Updated: October 09, 2025
