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 of uncommon

• unusual
• extraordinary
• exceptional
• unique
• rare
• abnormal
• odd

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

Lucas says shootings involving immigration officers are not uncommon, and under this administration alone, there have been more than 20. — Brittney Melton, NPR, 4 Sep. 2026

Pooling of sea water is possible around high tide at beach areas that is uncommon with normal tidal ranges. — Ca Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 4 Sep. 2026

The people of Hope Harbor don’t know it yet, but an alien invasion is under way—and Na, a horror-thriller maximalist of uncommon patience, takes his time breaking the news. — Justin Chang, New Yorker, 4 Sep. 2026

In 1956, Steinem graduated from Smith College, the all-women’s liberal arts school in Massachusetts, with a degree in government — an uncommon major for women then. — Elizabeth Chuck, NBC news, 3 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1576, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for uncommon

• aman
• brahman
• brahmin
• common
• lawman

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