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

Lobster rolls, a summer favorite on the East Coast, are rarely cheap and often sell for $25 to $40 or more, depending on the location. — Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 24 June 2026

Cybersecurity buyers rarely engage casually. — David Steifman, Forbes.com, 23 June 2026

Another stylistic preference: holding wide shots and rarely indulging in close-ups. — James Hibberd, HollywoodReporter, 13 June 2026

And when reality fails to match the expectation, guests rarely blame the platform or recommendation engine that shaped their perception. — Teresa MacKintosh, Fortune, 13 June 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