easy
Dad kept a spare key in the drawer.
What does Spare mean?
extra, or kept for later use.
Dictionary definition
Extra and available if needed, or to save someone or something from use or harm.
Example sentences
Spare in a sentence
medium
The teacher brought spare pencils for students who forgot one.
hard
A careful plan can spare time by preventing confusion later.
Writing practice
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Quick practice
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Practice the meaning of Spare
Answer three quick questions about its meaning and related words.
Question 1 of 3
Practice 1
What does spare mean?
Spare means extra, or kept for later use.
Practice 2
Which word or phrase is closest in meaning to spare?
Extra is close in meaning to spare.
Practice 3
Which word or phrase is a useful contrast for spare?
Needed contrasts with spare in this context.
Practice complete
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You completed 3 questions.
Pronunciation coach
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Spare
Voice settings
Sounds like
SPAIR
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SPAIR
Learn
WordSpare.
Partadjective, verb.
MeaningSpare means extra, or kept for later use.
ExampleExample: Dad kept a spare key in the drawer.
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Nice work—you practiced spare.
Synonyms
Words like Spare
Antonyms
Opposite words
Synonym practice
Want to practice spare synonyms in context? Try a Synonym Search question like "The architect wanted a minimal facade rather than a decorative one," then compare close word choices. Practice spare synonyms.
Word family
Spare word family
Base word
spare
verb
spares
Spare now or often.
verb
spared
Spare in the past.
verb
sparing
Spare happening now.
Related words
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Student support
Understand Spare
Hint for students
extra, or kept for later use.
Common mix-up
Spare is not the same as needed. Spare means extra, or kept for later use.
Try it in class or at home
Read this model sentence: The teacher brought spare pencils for students who forgot one. Clue words: teacher, brought, pencils. Underline clue words that show why spare fits instead of needed. Now write one new sentence that shows spare without using the word spare. Ask: Does my sentence clearly show spare?
Teacher prompt
Ask students to explain this model sentence: "The teacher brought spare pencils for students who forgot one." Why does spare fit better than needed?
Learning activities
Practice Spare and explore more word games
Cards labelled “Practice SPARE” keep this word in focus. Explore cards open games with other words.
Practice SPARE
Sentence Builder
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