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

But keep in mind, rushing attempts rarely happen during OTA sessions because players aren’t wearing pads during this portion of the offseason program. —Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 19 May 2026

Poking holes in potatoes helps steam escape but is rarely necessary to prevent bursting. —Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 19 May 2026

Swap aerosol sprays for pump bottles, and choose fragrance-free laundry products — the chemical scents left on clothing and sheets are another source of exposure kids rarely escape. —Ryan Brennan, Kansas City Star, 19 May 2026

The vessel appeared equipped with both offensive strike weapons and short-range defensive interceptors, a setup rarely seen on smaller unmanned surface craft. —Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 19 May 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