Spur

Pronunciation: /ˈspɜːr/

Spur (noun)

  1. a metal piece on a rider's boot to make a horse go faster
  2. something that encourages you to do something
  3. a small, pointed growth on a plant or animal

Examples

  • The cowboy used a spur to guide the horse.
  • Spurs are attached to the heels of riding boots.

Common collocations: metal spur, sharp spur, act as a spur, provide a spur, spur of growth

Spur (verb)

  1. to encourage someone to do something quickly
  2. to cause something to grow or develop faster

Examples

  • The coach spurred the team to victory.
  • Her speech spurred them into action.

Synonyms of Spur

Formal

Neutral

Informal

Antonyms of Spur

  • when discussing discouraging actions
  • when discussing preventing progress