spare time
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Noun:
- Time that is free from duties or responsibilities: This refers to periods when you are not required to work, study, or attend to obligatory tasks.
- Time available for hobbies and other activities that you enjoy: This is the discretionary time you can use for leisure, personal interests, or relaxation.
Usage
- The term is a compound noun. It is typically used in singular form ("spare time") but can be plural ("spare times") in rare, more literary contexts to refer to specific, distinct periods.
- It is commonly used with prepositions like in, during, or with.
- It often functions as the object of verbs like have, find, spend, or use.
Examples
- Noun:
- I like to read novels in my spare time.
- Do you have any spare time this weekend to help me with the project?
- He spends all his spare time restoring classic cars.
Advanced Usage
- "To have little/no spare time": To be very busy or occupied.
- With two jobs and three children, she has very little spare time.
- "To make/find spare time for (something)": To deliberately create or allocate free time for a specific activity.
- You need to find some spare time for exercise; it's important for your health.
Variants and Related Words
- Free time: A direct synonym with identical meaning and usage.
- Leisure time: Often implies time specifically dedicated to relaxation or enjoyment, sometimes with a slightly more formal tone.
- Downtime: Time when one is not working or busy, often implying a need to rest or recover.
- Spare (adj): As an adjective, it means "extra" or "not currently in use" (e.g., a , ). This meaning is the origin of the compound noun "spare time."
Synonyms
- Free time
- Leisure time
- Downtime
- Idle time
Related Phrases
- "In one's spare time": This is the most common prepositional phrase used with this noun.
- What do you do in your spare time?
- "Spare-time activity": A hobby or pursuit done during free time.
- Gardening is her favorite spare-time activity.
Noun
- time that is free from duties or responsibilities
- time available for hobbies and other activities that you enjoy