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

Adjective (1)

even among the prize-winning roses, this one is a rare beauty

rare specialty wools, such as cashmere, prized for their fineness, lightness and exceptional warmth

the French pronunciation of the family's name is rare, except in Louisiana

"Such good manners are rare these days," remarked Mrs. Denby, as the young man let her go ahead of him in line

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

The rediscovery sparked an immediate call to action, as conservationists and government officials recognized the importance of safeguarding this rare and iconic species. —Scott Travers, Forbes, 22 Dec. 2024

Meanwhile, Stan Edgar stands up to Homelander in a rare verbal drubbing that shows the only way to one-up the psychotic Supe is through words. —Gord Magill, Newsweek, 22 Dec. 2024

These events will be on across a range of platforms, including a first for Netflix as the streaming giant broadcasts a couple of rare NFL Christmas Day fixtures. —Eduardo Tansley, The Athletic, 22 Dec. 2024

Located roughly 150 million light-years from Earth in the constellation Serpens, UGC 10043 is one of the somewhat rare spiral galaxies that are seen edge-on. —Alan Taylor, The Atlantic, 22 Dec. 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"