Spare for Dummies

Spare is a word that can have a few different meanings, so let's break it down together! Have you ever heard someone say "I have some spare time" or "Do you have a spare pencil?" Well, in those cases, "spare" means something extra or additional that we have, beyond what we need. It's like having a backup or a reserve. So when we say we have some spare time, it means we have some extra time that we can use for something else, like playing a game or reading a book. And when we talk about a spare pencil, it means we have an extra pencil that we can use if our regular one breaks or we lose it. Now, "spare" can also have a different meaning. Have you ever played sports or seen someone play? Sometimes, a player may say they want to "spare" someone from getting hurt. In this case, "spare" means to avoid or prevent something bad from happening. It's like protecting or keeping someone safe. You can imagine it as someone stepping in to stop someone else from getting hurt, just like a superhero saving the day! But wait, there's even more! "Spare" can also be used to describe something that is plain or simple, without any extra decorations or fancy details. It's like having a plain shirt, without any patterns or designs on it. So when we say something is spare, it means it's very basic and doesn't have any extra frills. So, as we can see, "spare" can mean having something extra, avoiding something bad, or describing something plain or simple. It's a word that can be used in many different contexts, but the overall idea is that it refers to having something beyond what we need or want. I hope this explanation helps you understand the meaning of "spare"!