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

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Instead, on a rare night owner Mark Walter was in attendance, the team’s recent struggles only worsened — further highlighting flaws that even Walter’s $1.4 billion of spending this offseason have thus far failed to prevent. —Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 20 Apr. 2024

When the doors opened at 9 a.m. for customers to come collect their records and check out, some titles sold out fast, but fortunately Record Store Day goes on all day at Dearborn Music, along with a rare 15% discount on all new and used merchandise. —Kylie Martin, Detroit Free Press, 20 Apr. 2024

Bibi’s return to the desert decks marked his first show after a rare brain and spinal cancer diagnosis last summer. —Kalia Richardson, Rolling Stone, 20 Apr. 2024

Veteran stuntwoman Bryant is a top driver and a rare Black woman rising through the ranks. —Carole Horst, Variety, 20 Apr. 2024

Swift fans cheered the rare glimpse of the celebrity couple’s home life. —Lisa Gutierrez, Kansas City Star, 20 Apr. 2024

Three Republicans voted against the rule, necessitating Democrats' support to advance the bills out of the committee — a rare occurrence. —Deirdre Walsh, NPR, 19 Apr. 2024

In rare cases, salmonella or its toxins can enter the bloodstream, causing serious illnesses, death or long-term conditions like arthritis, Kowalcyk said. —Elizabeth Chuck, NBC News, 18 Apr. 2024

Millions of people across the United States will collectively look up at the sky Monday to witness a rare total solar eclipse. —Los Angeles Times, 8 Apr. 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"