Spare Meaning in English

word

US

/ˈspɛɹ/

spair

UK

/spˈeə/

spair

Definition

Used to describe something extra that is available in case it is needed, such as a spare key or spare tire. As a verb, it can also mean to avoid making someone experience something unpleasant or difficult.

Usage & Nuances

Common adjective collocations are 'spare key', 'spare room', 'spare tire', and 'spare time'. As a verb, 'spare someone the details' or 'spare me' is common and often slightly dramatic or polite depending on tone. Don't confuse it with 'free' in every context: 'spare time' means free time, but 'a spare chair' means an extra chair.

• Spanish: de repuesto - extra - ahorrar (a alguien algo)
• Portuguese (BR): sobressalente - extra - poupar (alguém de algo)
• Portuguese (PT): sobresselente - extra - poupar (alguém de algo)
• Chinese (Simplified): 备用的 - 多余的 - 免去（某人某事）
• Chinese (Traditional): 備用的 - 多餘的 - 免去（某人某事）
• Hindi: अतिरिक्त - बचाना (किसी को किसी चीज़ से)
• Arabic: احتياطي - إضافي - يُعفي (شخصًا من شيء)
• Bengali: অতিরিক্ত - ফাঁকা (সময়) - বাঁচানো (কাউকে কোনো অবাঞ্ছিত কিছু থেকে)
• Russian: запасной - лишний - щадить (кого-то)
• Japanese: 予備の - 空いている（時間） - 省く（説明など）
• Vietnamese: dự phòng - rảnh (thời gian) - tha (cho ai đó khỏi)
• Korean: 여분의 - 남는 (시간) - 아끼다(감정을)
• Turkish: yedek - boş (zaman) - esirgemek (birine bir şeyi yaşatmamak)
• Urdu: فالتو - مزید - بچانا (کسی کو تکلیف یا تفصیل سے)
• Indonesian: cadangan - luang (waktu) - menyisihkan (seseorang dari sesuatu)

Example Sentences

Do you have a spare key?

basic

We keep a spare tire in the car.

basic

I don't have much spare time today.

basic

Can you spare five minutes to help me with this?

natural

I'll spare you the details, but it was a total mess.

natural

We have a spare room if you want to stay the night.

natural