transitive verb spared, sparing
- to treat with mercy or leniency; refrain from killing, injuring, troubling, or distressing; save
- to save or free a person from (something): to spare someone trouble
- to refrain from, omit, avoid using, or use frugally: to spare no effort
- to give up the use or possession of; part with or give up conveniently: able to spare a cup of sugar
adjective sparer, sparest
- not in regular use or immediately needed; extra: a spare room, a spare tire
- not taken up by regular work or duties; free: spare time
- frugal; meager; scanty: to live on spare rations
- not fleshy; lean; thin
- economical in style; using simple language and a minimum of words; restrained