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

Her public school classmates' taunts weren't uncommon. —David Oliver, USA TODAY, 9 Apr. 2024

In 1979, a fluke crater explosion killed nine tourists — although deaths are uncommon. —Leo Sands, Washington Post, 8 Apr. 2024

On the other side of San Francisco Bay, Shell’s exit cost Berkeley, where fuel cell car sightings aren’t uncommon, its sole open station. —Bloomberg, The Mercury News, 4 Apr. 2024

However, the free spiritedness of her music — an uncommon blend of old-time bluegrass, country, ragtime, folk and jazz, anchored by her powerhouse vocals that by turns recall Patsy Cline, Dolly Parton and Bessie Smith — remains largely the same. —Erin Osmon, Los Angeles Times, 2 Apr. 2024

These types of statements in reports aren’t uncommon among companies with no revenue, such as biotech firms, noted Ritter. —Jason Ma, Fortune, 2 Apr. 2024

The relationship between the production and the individual vendors also requires uncommon care and continuity. —Patrick Brzeski, The Hollywood Reporter, 30 Mar. 2024

This temperamental split is not uncommon among show business performers, particularly comics, who tend to be a rather morose bunch when not in the spotlight. —Peter Rainer, The Christian Science Monitor, 29 Mar. 2024

Collaborations between franchise brands within the food industry aren't uncommon and, as with any great partnership, pick the right person to team up with and such a joint venture really can reap rewards. —Fiona Simpson, Forbes, 28 Mar. 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