rarity

noun

rar·​i·​ty ˈrer-ə-tē 

plural rarities

1

: the quality, state, or fact of being rare

2

: one that is rare

Synonyms

• curio
• curiosity
• exotic
• objet d'art
• objet
• oddity
• oddment

Examples of rarity in a Sentence

In most sports, athletes over the age of 50 are rarities.

Snow is a rarity in this part of the world.

He is selling most of his collection, keeping only the real rarities.

The rarity of the disease makes it difficult to diagnose.

Recent Examples on the Web

Even Nuno Espirito Santo did not muster as concentrated a run of Premier League victories as his countryman, who has managed it thanks to another Wolves rarity, with the club naming an unchanged starting line-up for five successive games for the first time in more than five years. —Steve Madeley, New York Times, 14 Apr. 2025

Jeffers sits Christian Vázquez drew his second straight start on Saturday, a rarity for a Twins catcher, because Ryan Jeffers is dealing with a minor thumb injury. —Betsy Helfand, Twin Cities, 12 Apr. 2025

Another rarity: Rosewood is one of California’s only luxury oceanfront resorts with rooms directly on the sand. —Jennifer Kester, Forbes.com, 10 Apr. 2025

The price now of several multiples of that reflects its rarity and condition. —Erik Shilling, Robb Report, 31 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1542, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for rarity

• charity
• clarity
• parity
• verity
• alterity
• asperity
• austerity
• celerity
• dexterity
• disparity
• hilarity
• molarity

Kids Definition

rarity

noun

rar·​i·​ty ˈrar-ət-ē 

ˈrer-

plural rarities

1

: the quality, state, or fact of being rare

2

: someone or something rare