spar
/spɑː(r)/ (bre, ipa) · [spˈɑr] /spɑːr/ (ame, ipa) · [spˈɑr] /ˈspär How to pronounce spar (audio)/ (ame, mw) · /spɑːr/ (bre, ipa)
spar — verb
- sparpresent simple I / you / we / they
- sparshe / she / it
- sparredpast simple
- sparring-ing form
1. to box with someone in practice, throwing controlled punches instead of trying t
to box with someone in practice, throwing controlled punches instead of trying to hurt them.
Liang sparred with his coach for three rounds after school.
spar with + person for rounds
Jude wore headgear while sparring at the boxing club.
sparring at a training place
The two beginners sparred lightly before the trainer stopped the session.
Gabriel spars with taller partners to practise moving in close.
文法句型
spar with + person
spar for + number of rounds
spar at + place
用法筆記
Usually describes controlled training rather than a real fight. It often appears with 'with' for the other boxer and with time or round expressions in gym or club settings.
常見錯誤
2. to exchange sharp words with someone, often in a lively way that is not fully se
to exchange sharp words with someone, often in a lively way that is not fully serious.
Christopher and Yasmin sparred over which film deserved the prize.
spar over + topic
At dinner, Rania liked to spar with her uncle about politics.
spar with + person about + topic
The two hosts sparred on air, but both were smiling.
Kabir and the manager sparred briefly before agreeing on the schedule.
- agree
reach or express the same view
文法句型
spar with + person
spar over + topic
spar about + issue
用法筆記
Often suggests quick back-and-forth disagreement rather than a full angry row. Common subjects are people in conversation, meetings, interviews, or media discussions.
常見錯誤
spar — noun
- sparsingular
- sparsplural
1. a thick pole, especially one fixed on a ship to hold sails or ropes.
a thick pole, especially one fixed on a ship to hold sails or ropes.
Sailors climbed the spar to tighten the loose sail before dawn.
climb the spar on a ship
A cracked spar swung above the deck during the storm.
The old fishing boat needed a new spar at the front.
Workers lifted the wooden spar into place beside the mast.
文法句型
a wooden spar
climb the spar
a spar beside the mast
用法筆記
Mostly used in nautical contexts for long rounded supports on a boat or ship. Distinguish from a general 'pole', which can be used anywhere and does not especially suggest rigging or sails.
常見錯誤
2. a practice boxing session in which the boxers trade controlled punches.
a practice boxing session in which the boxers trade controlled punches.
The coach stopped the spar when Hana's nose began to bleed.
stop the spar
One hard spar taught the teenager to keep both hands up.
After lunch, the gym scheduled a light spar for new members.
That evening spar lasted only two rounds but felt exhausting.
- bout
broader term for any fight, including official matches
- session
general training word; does not specifically mean exchanging punches
- practice bout
clear descriptive phrase for a training fight
文法句型
have a spar
stop the spar
a light spar
用法筆記
Used in boxing or martial-arts training for one practice exchange or session. It is more informal and sport-specific than the broader noun 'practice bout'.