Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com
Showing definitions for spare time
SEE ALSO
Slang dictionary results for spare time
Synonyms

spare time

American  
[spair tahym] / ˈspɛər ˈtaɪm /

noun

  1. time that is free from the demands of work or other obligations; free time.

    To supplement his income from farming, Mike began making mechanical chicken pluckers in his spare time.

    In her spare time, my aunt does a lot of community volunteer work.


Etymology

Origin of spare time

First recorded in 1565–75

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

She is making music in her spare time and is writing virtually with her friend Johnny, back home in Bedford.

From BBC • Apr. 4, 2026

In his spare time, he obsesses about where to find the perfect slice of New York-style pizza.Follow him on Twitter @CharlesPassy.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 1, 2026

Madigan was born in Chicago on September 11, 1950 to a journalist father and a mother who worked as an administrative assistant and did community theater in her spare time.

From Barron's • Mar. 15, 2026

Those who flocked to Dawson Leery were the sort who spent their spare time at after-school club events and hamburger stands.

From Salon • Feb. 17, 2026

“My aunt and uncle said I could write in my spare time if I wanted to,” I told him.

From "Kindred" by Octavia Butler

Vocabulary.com logo
by dictionary.com

Look it up. Learn it forever.

Remember "spare time" for good with VocabTrainer. Expand your vocabulary effortlessly with personalized learning tools that adapt to your goals.

Take me to Vocabulary.com