adjective

spare

Translation

extra, available, not in use, thin

I keep a spare tyre in the car.

I keep a spare tire in the car.

Do you have any spare time this week?

Can you spare a moment?

He spared the prisoner's life.

((spare sth.)) extra or for use in emergencies a spare key

((to spare sth.)) to give sth. (like time or money) to sb. Can you spare five minutes?

Synonyms: extra, additional, available; Antonyms: necessary, occupied

From Old English 'spær' meaning 'sparing, frugal'.

Think of a 'spare tire' – an extra one you keep for emergencies. The word covers anything extra or available.