(~s, sparing, ~d)
Frequency: The word is one of the 3000 most common words in English.
1.
You use ~ to describe something that is the same as things that you are already using, but that you do not need yet and are keeping ready in case another one is needed.
Don’t forget to take a few ~ batteries...
He could have taken a ~ key...
The wagons carried ~ ammunition.
ADJ: usu ADJ n
•
Spare is also a noun.
Give me the trunk key and I’ll get the ~.
N-COUNT
2.
You use ~ to describe something that is not being used by anyone, and is therefore available for someone to use.
The ~ bedroom is on the second floor...
There was hardly a ~ inch of space to be found.
ADJ: usu ADJ n
3.
If you have something such as time, money, or space to ~, you have some extra time, money, or space that you have not used or which you do not need.
You got here with ninety seconds to ~...
It’s not as if he has money to ~...
VERB: only to-inf, V, V
4.
If you ~ time or another resource for a particular purpose, you make it available for that purpose.
She said that she could only ~ 35 minutes for our meeting...
He suggested that his country could not ~ the troops for such an operation.
VERB: V n, V n
5.
If a person or a place is ~d, they are not harmed, even though other people or places have been. (LITERARY)
We have lost everything, but thank God, our lives have been ~d...
VERB: usu passive, be V-ed
6.
If you ~ someone an unpleasant experience, you prevent them from suffering it.
I wanted to ~ Frances the embarrassment of discussing this subject...
She’s just trying to ~ Shawna’s feelings...
VERB: V n n, V n
7.
see also sparing
8.
If you ~ a thought for an unfortunate person, you make an effort to think sympathetically about them and their bad luck.
Spare a thought for the nation’s shopkeepers–consumer sales slid again in May...
PHRASE: V inflects, PHR n