[Elamur Dictionary](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/spare/) [dictionaries](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) / [English](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/) / [S](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/s/) / spare # spare adjective (spare); verb (spare, spares, spared, sparing); noun (a spare, spares) «spare» in the English dictionary: everyday and in Jewish tradition — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova. ## Everyday 1. Spare means extra, kept in case it is needed, not being used now: a spare key, a spare tyre. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/spare/#m1) 2. Spare time is free time when you are not working. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/spare/#m2) 3. To spare is to give something you do not need: «can you spare a pencil?». [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/spare/#m3) 4. To spare someone is to not hurt them, or to save them from something. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/spare/#m4) 5. «To spare» means left over: «we got there with ten minutes to spare». [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/spare/#m5) 6. Spare no expense means to spend as much money as is needed, without holding back. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/spare/#m6) ### In the lessons extra things beyond those needed; the left over; in everyday life: spare clothes in your bag, a spare key with a neighbour, spare batteries; in stories: the king spared the dragon's life; phrases: «spare time», «to spare», «spare room», «spare no effort» ### Examples - He has 2 spare tyres. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/spare/#x1) - Each child needs 1 pencil and 5 are spare. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/spare/#x2) - Can you spare 3 apples? [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/spare/#x3) - How many spare seats are there? [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/spare/#x4) - Pack a spare pair of socks for the camp. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/spare/#x5) - What do you do in your spare time? [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/spare/#x6) - We reached the station with five minutes to spare. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/spare/#x7) - The knight spared the dragon's life. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/spare/#x8) - Our neighbour keeps a spare key for us. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/spare/#x9) - We don't want any expense spared. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/spare/#x10) ### Note Spare = what is left over after use: total − used. «With 5 minutes to spare» means 5 minutes left before the time. «Spare» as a verb with «can you…» is a polite way to ask for something. ## In Jewish tradition Here it means to show mercy, to hold back from punishing. It can also mean to keep from harming, as when God lets Satan test Job but spares his life, or to hold back from doing something, as in "spare not to spit". **Interpretation.** The Torah forbids showing pity to someone who tempts people to worship other gods. Tradition reads this as a strict warning against idolatry. In Job, tradition sees God setting limits on what evil can do. ### Examples - thou shalt not consent unto him, nor hearken unto him; neither shall thine eye pity him, neither shalt thou spare, neither shalt thou conceal him; (Torah DEU.13.8, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/S/spare/#x1) - Shall they therefore empty their net, and not spare to slay the nations continually? (Prophets HAB.1.17, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/S/spare/#x2) - And the LORD said unto Satan: 'Behold, he is in thy hand; only spare his life.' (Writings JOB.2.6, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/S/spare/#x3) - They abhor me, they flee far from me, and spare not to spit in my face. (Writings JOB.30.10, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/S/spare/#x4) ### Note Spare = what is left over after use: total − used. «With 5 minutes to spare» means 5 minutes left before the time. «Spare» as a verb with «can you…» is a polite way to ask for something. ## On Mova - [Trees and pragmatics of «spare» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/spare/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames. - [«spare» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/spare.html) on Mova free. - [Trees and pragmatics of «spare» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/S/spare/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames. - [«spare» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/judaism/w/spare.html) on Mova free.