spare room

USAGE SUMMARY

'spare room' is correct and usable in written English.
For example, you might use this phrase when talking about extra space in a home: "We have a spare room that we turn into a guest bedroom when friends come to visit."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

And the spare room.

The Guardian

She slept in the spare room thereafter.

The New Yorker

He slept in the spare room now.

The New Yorker

THE SPARE ROOM, by Helen Garner (Picador, $14).

The New York Times - Books

"A spare room keeps a family together.

The Guardian - Opinion

"Got a spare room?" it read.

The New York Times - Style

You know, like a spare room.

The Guardian - Travel

"We don't have one spare room.

The Guardian

As if they are living in a spare room.

Independent

Louisa (not her real name) moved into the spare room.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The spare room subsidy currently affects 600,000 people.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a "spare room", consider its function (e.g., guest room, storage space, hobby room) to provide a clearer image to the reader.

Common error

Avoid assuming a "spare room" is always a bedroom. It might be used for storage, as a home office, or for other purposes. Ensure your description aligns with its actual use.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "spare room" primarily functions as a noun phrase, typically acting as a subject or object within a sentence. It denotes an additional room in a house that is not currently being used as a primary bedroom or living space, as confirmed by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

82%

Formal & Business

9%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Science

2%

Reference

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "spare room" is a common and grammatically correct noun phrase used to describe an extra room in a house. Ludwig AI confirms this. Predominantly found in News & Media, it also appears in Formal & Business and Wiki contexts. Its primary function is descriptive, identifying a room not currently serving as a primary living space. While "guest room", "unused bedroom", and "extra bedroom" are semantically related, "spare room" carries a more general connotation of availability. When using this phrase, consider the actual purpose of the room to provide a more accurate description.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

guest room

Focuses on the room's function for accommodating guests.

unused bedroom

Highlights the lack of regular occupation.

extra bedroom

Emphasizes the surplus nature of the room.

additional room

A more general term for any supplementary space.

secondary bedroom

Highlights that the bedroom is not the primary one.

bonus room

Suggests an unexpected or advantageous extra space.

free room

Implies the room is available and not currently assigned a purpose.

den

Suggests a room used for relaxation or hobbies, often smaller than a bedroom.

study

Implies a room used for reading or working.

home office

Specifies the room is used for professional or administrative work.

FAQs

How to use "spare room" in a sentence?

You can use "spare room" to describe an extra room in a house, like: "We converted our "spare room" into a home office."

What can I say instead of "spare room"?

Alternatives include "guest room", "unused bedroom", or "extra bedroom" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "spare room" or "extra room"?

Both "spare room" and "extra room" are correct, but "spare room" often implies a room that is available and not currently in use, while "extra room" simply means there's an additional room.

What's the difference between a "spare room" and a "storage room"?

A ""spare room"" is typically furnished and could be used for various purposes, including as a guest room, while a "storage room" is primarily used for storing items.