n.
Function: adjective
Inflected Form: spar · er ; spar · est
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English spær sparing, scant; akin to Old High German spar spare
Date: 14th century
1 : not being used especially : held for emergency use <a spare tire>
2 : being over and above what is needed : SUPERFLUOUS < spare time>
3 : not liberal or profuse : SPARING <a spare prose style>
4 : healthily lean
5 : not abundant or plentiful
synonyms see LEAN , MEAGER
– spare · ly adverb
– spare · ness noun