Sparing means using only a little of something, or giving it out in small amounts. When a chef adds salt with a sparing hand, she uses just a pinch instead of dumping it in. When someone is sparing with their praise, they don't compliment others very often.

The word suggests careful restraint and economy. A sparing approach to anything means not being wasteful or excessive. You might be sparing with your Halloween candy so it lasts longer, eating just one piece a day instead of gobbling it all at once. A writer might be sparing with adjectives, choosing only the most powerful ones instead of piling them on.

Being sparing often shows wisdom and self-control. Olympic gymnasts are sparing with their energy during early rounds, saving their strength for the finals. A good storyteller is sparing with details about the villain at first, revealing just enough to build suspense.

The opposite of sparing is generous, lavish, or extravagant. While both approaches have their place, sparing use can make something more valuable or impactful. When a usually quiet student offers a comment, everyone listens carefully because they know she's sparing with her words and speaks only when she has something important to say.