[Elamur Dictionary](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/sparring/)

[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/) / sparring

# sparring

noun (sparring — uncountable); verb form (spar, spars, sparred, sparring); adjective (sparring partner)

«sparring» in the English dictionary: everyday — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. In boxing and martial arts, sparring is practice fighting with a partner, using light hits and safety gear, to train, not to hurt. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/sparring/#m1)
2. Sparring is also arguing in a friendly or not very serious way, trading quick clever remarks. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/sparring/#m2)
3. (verb) To spar means to do that practice fighting, or to argue with someone. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/sparring/#m3)

### In the lessons

In PE and clubs such as karate or taekwondo, sparring has rules, gloves and head guards. In stories and news, politicians or friends "spar" with words. Phrases: "sparring partner" (someone you train or argue with often), "sparring session", "spar with".

### Examples

- We have sparring practice at karate on Fridays. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/sparring/#x1)
- You must wear a head guard for sparring. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/sparring/#x2)
- The boxer's sparring partner helped him get ready. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/sparring/#x3)
- The two friends enjoy sparring about football. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/sparring/#x4)
- The leaders sparred on TV about taxes. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/sparring/#x5)
- In taekwondo sparring, you score points for kicks. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/sparring/#x6)
- Sparring is not real fighting; we stop when the coach says. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/sparring/#x7)

### Note

"Spar" doubles the r: sparred, sparring. A "spar" is also a pole on a ship's mast (a different word). Sparring partner can mean a friend you often argue with for fun.

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «sparring» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/sparring/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«sparring» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/sparring.html) on Mova free.