uncommon

adjective

un·​com·​mon ˌən-ˈkä-mən 

1

: not ordinarily encountered : unusual

an uncommon plant

2

: remarkable, exceptional

a soldier of uncommon courage

uncommonly adverb

uncommonness

ˌən-ˈkä-mən-nəs 

noun

Synonyms

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

Choose the Right Synonym for uncommon

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 uncommon in a Sentence

It is not uncommon for people to become depressed after they retire.

an athlete with uncommon ability

a soldier of uncommon courage

She is an uncommon woman.

Recent Examples on the Web

Anyone who’s sat through enough corporate presentations knows that genuinely wanting the person to tell you more is uncommon. —Greg Orme, Forbes, 5 Dec. 2024

Accidental shootings are the most uncommon type of gun death in the U.S., accounting for about 1% of all shootings. —John Diedrich, Journal Sentinel, 5 Dec. 2024

Police said sinkholes are not uncommon because of subsidence from coal mining activity in the area. —Mark R. Weaver, Newsweek, 4 Dec. 2024

And while the sight of a bat in an indoor space isn't terribly uncommon in that part of rural California, Merced County Public Health spokesperson Megan Black urged caution when people come into close contact with one. —David K. Li, NBC News, 3 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1576, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

uncommon

adjective

un·​com·​mon ˌən-ˈkäm-ən 

ˈən-

1

: not ordinarily found or experienced : unusual

not uncommon to catch a cold

2

: extraordinary, remarkable, exceptional

has uncommon ability

uncommonly adverb

uncommonness

-ən-nəs 

noun