Spa vs. Spar: What's the Difference?

The words spa and spar may sound similar, but they represent very different concepts. A spa refers to a place that offers health and wellness treatments, like massages and facials, often through therapeutic water treatments. Spar, on the other hand, pertains to a robust pole used to support sails and rigging on a ship, or can also mean to practice fighting, typically in reference to boxing or martial arts.

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Spa vs. Spar

How do you use the word spa in a sentence?

The word spa is commonly used to refer to a commercial establishment offering health and beauty treatments through various facilities like saunas, steam rooms, and hot tubs. It can also imply a mineral springs area that is considered to have health-giving properties. Use the term when discussing places dedicated to relaxation, health, and pampering.
Examples of spa in a sentence
  • After a stressful week at work, a day at the spa is just what I need.
  • The hotel offers a world-class spa with an array of treatments to rejuvenate your body and mind.
  • Famous for its mineral-rich waters, the town has been known as a spa destination since the Victorian era.

How do you use the word spar in a sentence?

Spar can be used as a nautical term referring to a heavy pole used to support sails and rigging systems on a boat or ship. As a verb, it means to engage in a practice fight or a light-hearted debate. Spar is often used to describe activities related to boxing or arguing in a non-hostile, training-focused manner.
Examples of spar in a sentence
  • The sailors secured the sails to the main spar before setting out to sea.
  • During their training session, the boxers would spar with each other to improve their techniques.
  • The young politicians would often spar over policies but remained good friends outside the debate hall.

Spa and spar definition, parts of speech, and pronunciation

Spa definition:
A spa is a commercial establishment that provides therapeutic baths and treatments for health and relaxation purposes, or a place with mineral springs.

Spa parts of speech:
  • As a noun: We have booked a couple's massage at the spa for our anniversary.

Spa pronunciation:
spah (spɑː)

Spar definition:
As a noun, spar refers to a thick, strong pole such as is used for masts, yards, booms, etc., on a ship. As a verb, it means to practice fighting, usually in reference to boxing.

Spar parts of speech:
  • As a noun: The broken spar was replaced to ensure the sailboat could navigate effectively.
  • As a verb: The coach watched closely as the novice fighters learned to spar.

Spar pronunciation:
spahr (spɑːr)

Spa vs. spar in a nutshell

While both spa and spar share phonetic similarities, their meanings are distinct. A spa is a center for health and relaxation, often featuring water therapy, whereas spar is a structural element of marine vessels or a verb describing practice fighting or playful debate.

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