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📕 rednote ID(小红书号)：3881567312

Spare Meaning: Free, Backup, and Unused Uses (3 meaning)

Meaning 1：free, unoccupied (spare)

spare 🔊

/spɛr/

adj.

Having extra time that you are free to use.

Spare time meaning: person relaxing in hammock reading book

free, unoccupied 🔊

➕

/friː ʌnˈɒk.jʊ.paɪd/

adj.

Describes time that is not already scheduled or required, allowing one to use it as they wish.

📁 Category：Time & Dates 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

Old English 'sparian' (to refrain, be merciful), akin to German 'sparen' (to save).

💡 Mnemonic

Think of your 'spare' tire—saved for emergencies because you have 'extra' time to prepare.

📖 Example

If you have any spare time this weekend, we could go for coffee. 🔊 If you have any spare time this weekend, we could go for coffee.

🔗 Collocations

spare time – free time not occupied by work or obligations

spare moment – a brief period of free time

spare hour – an hour of free time

🔄 Synonyms

free (adj.) – available without restrictions; not busy

available (adj.) – free to be used or taken

unoccupied (adj.) – not being used or filled

🚫 Antonyms

busy (adj.) – actively engaged; having no free time

occupied (adj.) – already in use or being used

scheduled (adj.) – arranged for a specific time; not free

📖 Cultural Story

Spare originates from Old English 'sparian' meaning 'to refrain from using', evolving to mean 'extra' or 'unused'. In modern English, 'spare time' is a common phrase for leisure.

Meaning 2：reserve, backup (spare)

spare 🔊

/spɛr/

adj.

Something kept for use if the main one fails or is lost.

Spare tire meaning: backup tire in car trunk

reserve, backup 🔊

➕

/rɪˈzɜːv ˈbæk.ʌp/

adj.

Describes an extra item that is kept ready in case the primary one becomes damaged, lost, or unusable.

📁 Category：Objects & Materials 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Example

It's wise to carry a spare tire in your car for emergencies. 🔊 It's wise to carry a spare tire in your car for emergencies.

🔗 Collocations

spare tire – an extra tire kept in a vehicle for emergencies

spare part – a replacement part for a machine

spare key – an additional key kept as a backup

🔄 Synonyms

backup (adj.) – kept in reserve as a substitute

reserve (adj.) – held back for future use

extra (adj.) – additional; beyond what is usual or necessary

🚫 Antonyms

main (adj.) – primary; most important

primary (adj.) – of chief importance; principal

essential (adj.) – absolutely necessary; indispensable

Meaning 3：unused, vacant (spare)

spare 🔊

/spɛr/

adj.

Not being used or needed at the moment; available but inactive.

Spare room meaning: empty bedroom with sunlight

unused, vacant 🔊

➕

/ʌnˈjuːzd/ /ˈveɪ.kənt/

adj.

Describes something that is currently not in use or needed, but available for potential future use.

📁 Category：Buildings & Places 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Example

We have a spare room in our house that we use as a guest bedroom. 🔊 We have a spare room in our house that we use as a guest bedroom.

🔗 Collocations

spare room – an extra room in a house that is not regularly used

spare bedroom – a bedroom that is available for guests

spare space – an area that is not currently occupied

🔄 Synonyms

vacant (adj.) – empty; not currently occupied or used

empty (adj.) – containing nothing; not filled or occupied

unoccupied (adj.) – not being lived in or used

🚫 Antonyms

occupied (adj.) – being used or lived in

busy (adj.) – full of activity; in use

in use (adj.) – currently being utilized