uncommon

adjective

un·​com·​mon ˌən-ˈkä-mən How to pronounce uncommon (audio)
1
: not ordinarily encountered : unusual
an uncommon plant
2
: remarkable, exceptional
a soldier of uncommon courage
uncommonly adverb
uncommonness noun
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 Coyotes will attack small dogs, though attacks on medium and large dogs are uncommon, says Kohl. Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 29 Oct. 2024 Americans are deeply politically divided, and harsh language is not uncommon. Curtis Puryear, Scientific American, 29 Oct. 2024 Why is electricity so unreliable? Blackouts are not uncommon in Cuba. Rebekah Evans, theweek, 25 Oct. 2024 Unfortunately, vehicle collisions with wildlife, including grizzly bears, are not uncommon. Leslie Katz, Forbes, 25 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for uncommon 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'uncommon.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1576, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of uncommon was circa 1576

Dictionary Entries Near uncommon

Cite this Entry

“Uncommon.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/uncommon. Accessed 4 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

uncommon

adjective
un·​com·​mon ˌən-ˈkäm-ən How to pronounce uncommon (audio)
ˈən-
1
: not ordinarily found or experienced : unusual
not uncommon to catch a cold
2
: extraordinary, remarkable, exceptional
has uncommon ability
uncommonly adverb
uncommonness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on uncommon

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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