spare time
HighNeutral to Informal. Common in everyday conversation, advertising, and general writing. Less formal than 'leisure time' or 'discretionary time'.
Definition
Meaning
Free time available after one's duties, work, or necessary activities are completed; leisure time.
Time not occupied by obligations, which can be used for hobbies, relaxation, or personal projects. Can also imply time that is surplus or leftover.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Conceptually linked to time as a resource that can be 'spent' or 'used'. Often implies a contrast with obligated or work time. Can sometimes carry a slight connotation of time that is 'extra' or 'left over'.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is nearly identical in both varieties. 'Spare time' is the dominant compound in both. 'Free time' is equally common, with no significant regional preference.
Connotations
Identical connotations. Both imply leisure or discretionary time.
Frequency
Extremely high frequency in both varieties, with 'free time' as a perfect synonym of comparable frequency.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
have + spare timein + POSSESSIVE + spare timespend + spare time + V-ing/on NPuse + spare time + to-infinitiveVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “In one's spare time (meaning 'as a hobby')”
- “Not a moment to spare”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used informally (e.g., 'Work on this in your spare time.'). More formal contexts may use 'discretionary time' or 'non-work hours'.
Academic
Used in informal academic discourse (e.g., student life). In formal sociology/time-use studies, 'leisure time' is preferred.
Everyday
The primary and most common context of use.
Technical
Not typically a technical term. Engineering/computer contexts might use 'idle time' or 'downtime' with different, more specific meanings.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- I can spare some time next Thursday for a chat.
- Could you spare a moment?
American English
- Can you spare some time to look this over?
- I can't spare the time right now.
adverb
British English
- This part fits spare to the chassis. (Technical/rare)
- He lived sparely and quietly. (Adverb from 'spare' adjective, not directly related to time)
American English
- He tends to write sparely, with few adjectives. (As above)
adjective
British English
- I keep a spare key under the flowerpot.
- Do you have a spare pen I could borrow?
American English
- We have a spare room for guests.
- I brought a spare battery just in case.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- I read books in my spare time.
- He plays football in his spare time.
- Do you have any spare time this weekend?
- In her spare time, she volunteers at the animal shelter.
- I wish I had more spare time to learn a musical instrument.
- What do you like to do in your spare time?
- Despite his demanding job, he manages to write novels in his spare time.
- I fill my spare time with DIY projects around the house.
- She used her spare time productively to learn coding.
- The concept of 'spare time' has been eroded by the always-on culture of digital connectivity.
- He devoted every spare moment to mastering the complex sonata.
- Philanthropic work consumed what little spare time his executive position afforded him.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a spare tyre – it's extra, not needed for the main job of driving. 'Spare time' is extra time not needed for your main jobs.
Conceptual Metaphor
TIME IS A RESOURCE (to spend, use, fill, waste, save). SPARE TIME IS A CONTAINER (you do things *in* it).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid direct calque 'запасное время'.
- The common Russian equivalent 'свободное время' maps directly to 'free time'. 'Spare time' and 'free time' are synonyms in English.
- Do not confuse with 'spare' as a verb meaning 'to forgive' (пощадить).
Common Mistakes
- Using 'spare' as an uncountable noun alone to mean time (e.g., 'I have a lot of spare' – INCORRECT). It is always 'spare time'.
- Confusing 'in my spare time' with 'on my spare time' (the latter is incorrect).
- Misspelling as 'spear time'.
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is a strong collocation with 'spare time'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
In everyday usage, they are perfect synonyms and interchangeable. 'Free time' is perhaps slightly more common in some contexts, but there is no meaningful difference in meaning or connotation.
No, 'spare time' is treated as an uncountable or mass noun. You have 'a lot of spare time' or 'little spare time', not 'many spare times'. The plural 'times' refers to specific instances or eras (e.g., 'in ancient times').
The primary preposition is 'IN' (e.g., 'in my spare time'). You also use 'have spare time', 'spend spare time', and 'use spare time to do something'.
Yes, 'leisure time' is slightly more formal and is often used in official surveys, academic writing, or commercial contexts (e.g., 'leisure time activities'). 'Spare time' is the most natural choice for everyday conversation.
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