rare

1 of 2

adjective (1)

ˈrer 

rarer; rarest

1

: seldom occurring or found : uncommon

2

a

: marked by unusual quality, merit, or appeal : distinctive

b

: superlative or extreme of its kind

3

: marked by wide separation of component particles : thin

rare air

rareness noun

rare

2 of 2

adjective (2)

rarer; rarest

: cooked so that the inside is still red

rare roast beef

Synonyms

Adjective (1)

• aberrant
• aberrated
• abnormal
• anomalous
• atypical
• especial
• exceeding
• exceptional
• extraordinaire
• extraordinary
• freak
• odd
• peculiar
• phenomenal
• preternatural
• singular
• uncommon
• uncustomary
• unique
• unusual
• unwonted

Choose the Right Synonym for rare

choice, exquisite, elegant, rare, delicate, dainty mean having qualities that appeal to a cultivated taste.

choice stresses preeminence in quality or kind.

choice fabric

exquisite implies a perfection in workmanship or design that appeals only to very sensitive taste.

an exquisite gold bracelet

elegant applies to what is rich and luxurious but restrained by good taste.

a sumptuous but elegant dining room

rare suggests an uncommon excellence.

rare beauty

delicate implies exquisiteness, subtlety, and fragility.

delicate craftsmanship

dainty sometimes carries an additional suggestion of smallness and of appeal to the eye or palate.

dainty sandwiches

infrequent, uncommon, scarce, rare, sporadic mean not common or abundant.

infrequent implies occurrence at wide intervals in space or time.

infrequent family visits

uncommon suggests a frequency below normal expectation.

smallpox is now uncommon in many countries

scarce implies falling short of a standard or required abundance.

jobs were scarce during the Depression

rare suggests extreme scarcity or infrequency and often implies consequent high value.

rare first editions

sporadic implies occurrence in scattered instances or isolated outbursts.

sporadic cases of influenza

Examples of rare in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

In rare instances, university officials and protest leaders struck agreements to restrict the disruption to campus life and upcoming commencement ceremonies. —CBS News, 2 May 2024

The rare discovery of the Neanderthal skull came from an Iraqi cave where the species was known to lay their dead to rest. —Jonathan Limehouse, USA TODAY, 2 May 2024

Unseating an incumbent is rare, and the East Valley-area district Biggs represents leans Republican by 11 points. —Laura Gersony, The Arizona Republic, 2 May 2024

Sitting down and watching a movie is very rare for them. —Jack Dunn, Variety, 2 May 2024

Shale Evangelist Sheffield has been a rare outspoken leader in the US shale patch, frequently appearing in media interviews and industry conferences. —Kevin Crowley, Fortune, 2 May 2024

The first use for these organoids could be for a rare condition in which babies are born with undeveloped lungs. —Paolo De Coppi, TIME, 2 May 2024

Harvard’s recent decision to remove the binding of a notorious volume in its library has thrown fresh light on a shadowy corner of the rare book world. —Lucy Sante, New York Times, 1 May 2024

Amateur or professional photographers looking to upgrade to a new piece of kit have a rare opportunity to slash 20% off of one of the best mirrorless cameras on the market. —K. Thor Jensen, PCMAG, 1 May 2024

Word History

Etymology

Adjective (1)

Middle English, from Latin rarus

Adjective (2)

alteration of earlier rere, from Middle English, from Old English hrēre boiled lightly; akin to Old English hrēran to stir, Old High German hruoren

First Known Use

Adjective (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Adjective (2)

1784, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing rare

• rare bird
• rare breed
• rare earth
• rare earth element
• ultra-rare

Kids Definition

rare

1 of 2 adjective

ˈra(ə)r 

ˈre(ə)r

rarer; rarest

1

: not thick or dense : thin

the atmosphere is rare at high altitudes

2

: very fine : excellent, splendid

a rare June day

3

: very uncommon

rain is rare in the desert

a collection of rare books

rareness noun

rare

2 of 2 adjective

rarer; rarest

: cooked so that the inside is still red

rare roast beef

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English rare "thin," from Latin rarus "rare"

Adjective

Old English hrēre "boiled lightly"