spur
spur
Spur (noun) means a spiked device worn on a rider's boot heel to urge a horse forward. Example: “The cowboy pressed his spurs gently into the horse's sides.”
noun
1
A spiked device worn on a rider's boot heel to urge a horse forward.
"The cowboy pressed his spurs gently into the horse's sides."
"The jockey wore polished boots with small metal spurs at the heels."
"Hanging on the wall was a rusty spur from an old cavalry horse."
2
Something that motivates or drives someone to act.
"Fear of failure was the spur that pushed her to work harder."
"Competition can be a powerful spur to innovation."
"The teacher's praise was a spur that made him study every evening."
3
A ridge or side branch jutting out from something larger, such as a mountain range or road.
"A narrow spur road connects the village to the main highway."
"A rocky spur of the hill stretched out into the valley below."
"The railway built a short spur to serve the new factory."
verb
1
To urge someone or something into action.
"The coach's speech spurred the team on to a second-half comeback."
"The small prize spurred the children to tidy their rooms quickly."
"Rising prices may spur many families to look for cheaper shops."
How to use spur
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA spiked heel device for riding horses, or more broadly, anything that pushes someone into action.
Common mistake
The idiom "on the spur of the moment" means acting suddenly, without planning — it doesn't literally involve spurs or horses.
Common pairings
spur someone on
on the spur of the moment
spurred to action
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Word forms
- Plural
- spurs
- Third person singular
- spurs
- Past tense
- spurred
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The cowboy pressed his _____ gently into the horse's sides.
Etymology
From Old English spora, spura, going back to a Proto-Indo-European root meaning "to kick."
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “spur” mean?
The word “spur” means a spiked device worn on a rider's boot heel to urge a horse forward. In plain terms, a spiked heel device for riding horses, or more broadly, anything that pushes someone into action.
How do you pronounce “spur”?
“Spur” is pronounced spur (/spɝ/ in IPA).
How do you use “spur” in a sentence?
Here is “spur” used in a sentence: “The cowboy pressed his spurs gently into the horse's sides.”
What part of speech is “spur”?
Depending on how it is used, “spur” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “spur” come from?
The word “spur” comes from Old English. From Old English spora, spura, going back to a Proto-Indo-European root meaning "to kick.".
Is “spur” a common word?
“Spur” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “spur” have?
“Spur” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a spiked device worn on a rider's boot heel to urge a horse forward.
What is the difference between a spur and motivation in general?
A spur specifically refers to something that drives or motivates someone into action, often suggesting a sudden or specific trigger, such as a spur to further effort, rather than a general or ongoing sense of motivation. The word draws on the image of a literal spur used to urge a horse forward.
How is spur used to describe geographic features?
As a noun, spur can describe a ridge or side branch jutting out from something larger, such as a mountain range or a road, distinct from its meanings related to motivation or riding equipment. This geographic sense is common in descriptions of terrain and infrastructure.
