reserve

An extra amount of something kept until it is needed.

• We have enough food in reserve.
• The hospital used its emergency reserves.
• Keep a small reserve of cash for unexpected costs.

How to use it: a reserve of something (We keep a reserve of drinking water.)

Similar words: extra supply, stock, store

Common phrases: in reserve, cash reserve, reserve supplies

An area where wild animals, plants, or the natural environment are protected.

• We visited a nature reserve.
• Rare birds live in this coastal reserve.
• Fishing is forbidden in several marine reserves.

Similar words: sanctuary, protected area

Common phrases: nature reserve, wildlife reserve, marine reserve

An amount of oil, gas, or another natural material known to exist and available for future use.

• The country has large oil reserves.
• These coal reserves could last for decades.
• Engineers discovered a new gas reserve beneath the sea.

How to use it: reserves of something (Scientists found large reserves of natural gas.)

Similar words: deposit

Common phrases: oil reserve, coal reserve, mineral reserve

A quiet, careful attitude that keeps you from showing your feelings or becoming close to people.

• She greeted us with reserve.
• His reserve made him difficult to get to know.
• After several visits, her usual reserve began to disappear.

Similar words: restraint, reticence, aloofness

Opposites: openness

Common phrases: with reserve, natural reserve, emotional reserve

A player or soldier who is available to take another person’s place or help when needed.

• He joined the team as a reserve.
• The coach brought on two reserves after halftime.
• The army called up its reserves during the crisis.

Similar words: substitute, backup

Common phrases: reserve player, army reserve, injured reserve

Land set aside for an Indigenous community, especially in Canada.

• Her family lives on a reserve.
• The reserve has a new community school.
• Several reserves received funding for better water supplies.

Similar words: reservation

Common phrases: on a reserve, reserve land, reserve community

To arrange for a seat, room, or table to be kept for you at a particular time.

• Can we reserve a table?
• She reserved two rooms for the weekend.
• Have you reserved your seats for tomorrow’s concert?

How to use it: reserve something for someone (I reserved a seat for my sister.)

Similar words: book

Common phrases: reserve a table, reserve a room, reserve a seat

To use something only for a particular person, purpose, or situation.

• We reserve this room for guests.
• He reserved that gentle voice for his youngest child.
• The prize is reserved for students with outstanding results.

How to use it: reserve something for someone/something (She reserves her strongest criticism for dishonest politicians.)

Similar words: set aside, earmark

Common phrases: reserve for someone, reserve for something, reserve special treatment