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

This diverse skill set is rare yet increasingly necessary in an environment where investor attention is scarce and competition for capital is fierce. —Anthony Milewski, Forbes, 10 Dec. 2024

While similar ethics reports have occasionally been released after a member of Congress has resigned, such instances are rare. —Joseph Epstein, Newsweek, 10 Dec. 2024

These kinds of roles were (and, in many cases, still are) rare for Black talent, but Wilson’s plays gave them rich terrain to showcase their range. —Hannah Giorgis, The Atlantic, 10 Dec. 2024

It’s been rare, in my experience, that the trade market is the first to go. —Dan Hayes, The Athletic, 10 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"