Sparing Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

💰

Add to dictionary

sparing

[ˈspɛərɪŋ ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Adjective}

financial management

Showing a willingness to allow someone to have only a small amount of something, especially money or food

Synonyms

economical, frugal, thrifty.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
sparing	Used when you mean using something in small amounts or not very often. It's often used in contexts where the resource or item is limited. He was sparing with his compliments. Doctors are sparing with their prescriptions of antibiotics nowadays.
frugal	Often used to describe someone who is careful with their money and avoids waste. It can sometimes have a bit of a negative connotation, implying stinginess. She is extremely frugal, always looking for ways to save a few cents. He leads a frugal lifestyle, avoiding unnecessary expenses.
economical	Ideal when speaking about something that is efficient in terms of cost, not wasting resources like money, time, or energy. This car is very economical on fuel. We need to find an economical solution for heating our home.
thrifty	This word is similar to frugal but usually carries a more positive connotation. It suggests wise use of resources without seeming stingy. They are a thrifty family, always finding the best deals. Being thrifty, he managed to save a considerable amount of money over the years.

Examples of usage

He was always so sparing with his money, never spending unnecessarily
She was sparing with the sugar, using just a pinch in her tea

^{Context #2 | Verb}

using something carefully

To use or give something carefully in order to make it last a long time

Synonyms

conserve, husband, preserve.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
sparing	Suitable when you want to say that someone is using resources carefully and not using too much. She was sparing with her compliments We have to be sparing with our water usage during the drought
conserve	Used when you aim to save or maintain a resource over a long period, often related to energy or environment. We need to conserve our natural resources He tries to conserve energy by turning off lights when they're not needed
preserve	Best used when referring to maintaining something in its original or existing state, often used in terms of culture, history, or food. We should preserve our cultural heritage The museum aims to preserve ancient artifacts for future generations
husband	An old-fashioned or formal term that means to manage resources carefully, often used in financial or agricultural contexts. During tough times, they had to husband their resources carefully The farmer knew how to husband his land well

Examples of usage

She sparingly used the limited supply of water during the drought
He sparingly gave out the rations among the hungry refugees

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Origin of 'sparing'

The word 'sparing' originated from the Old English word 'sparian', meaning to refrain from harming or using up. Over time, it evolved to encompass the idea of using something carefully or allowing only a small amount. The concept of sparing has been valued in various cultures as a virtue of resourcefulness and moderation.

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #15,308, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.

...
15305 excellency
15306 risked
15307 smelter
15308 sparing
15309 resettlement
15310 encountering
15311 buoyancy
...