rarely

adverb

rare·​ly ˈrer-lē 

1

: not often : seldom

2

: with rare skill : excellently

3

: in an extreme or exceptional manner

Synonyms of rarely

• seldom

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

Infections, other immune-system stressors and, more rarely, brain injuries may also contribute in genetically susceptible individuals. — Daryl Austin, USA Today, 8 July 2026

Participants usually wear pins disclosing to others that they may be recorded, but the audio rarely includes discussions of the research, and people don’t seem to change their behavior as a result. — Shayla Love, New Yorker, 8 July 2026

Communism’s pure economic theory is now rarely practiced anywhere — even if ruthless leaders in hybrid capitalist economies like China and Russia have retained the authoritarian iron fists of their predecessors. — Harmeet Kaur, CNN Money, 8 July 2026

Consumers rarely make purchasing decisions based solely on the product in front of them. — Kate Hardcastle, Forbes.com, 8 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1549, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing rarely

• rarely/seldom ever
• rarely/seldom if ever

Rhymes for rarely

• unfairly
• barely
• fairly
• squarely

Kids Definition

rarely

adverb

rare·​ly ˈra(ə)r-lē 

ˈre(ə)r-

: not often : seldom