rarely

adverb

rare·​ly ˈrer-lē How to pronounce rarely (audio)
1
: not often : seldom
2
: with rare skill : excellently
3
: in an extreme or exceptional manner

Examples of rarely in a Sentence

She rarely talks about her past. Rarely do we see this kind of weather in our area. Only rarely is surgery necessary to treat this condition.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
That first impulse to vent or demand immediate action is rarely your friend. Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 14 July 2025 Roller coasters and senior citizens are rarely a good match. Marianne Pizzitola, New York Daily News, 14 July 2025 That’s because big opening weekends are rarely a problem for comic book movies, especially ones anchored by a hero as universally recognizable as Superman. Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 13 July 2025 The good news is that the fungus rarely infects the fruit. Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 12 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for rarely

Word History

First Known Use

1549, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of rarely was in 1549

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Cite this Entry

“Rarely.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rarely. Accessed 21 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

rarely

adverb
rare·​ly ˈra(ə)r-lē How to pronounce rarely (audio)
ˈre(ə)r-
: not often : seldom

More from Merriam-Webster on rarely

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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