uncommon

adjective

un·​com·​mon ˌən-ˈkä-mən How to pronounce uncommon (audio)
1
: not ordinarily encountered : unusual
an uncommon plant
2
: remarkable, exceptional
a soldier of uncommon courage
uncommonly adverb
uncommonness noun
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 Menopause is uncommon in the animal kingdom and requires an unusual set of conditions to arise, Croft said. Fox News, 15 Mar. 2024 The nitrocellulose — or nitrate — used at the time as a base for filmmaking was quick to decompose and highly flammable; fires were not uncommon. Dan Barry, New York Times, 15 Mar. 2024 Airline pilots sleeping in the cockpit isn’t uncommon. Ryan Erik King / Jalopnik, Quartz, 12 Mar. 2024 And arguments and fights, students say, are not uncommon, even though in most instances weapons are not involved. Caroline Beck, The Indianapolis Star, 12 Mar. 2024 Today’s sport is inherently dangerous, and injuries are not uncommon among riders and skiers alike. Thomas Peipert, The Christian Science Monitor, 8 Mar. 2024 Swift, who just shattered records with her billion-dollar-plus earning Eras Tour, has an uncommon influence over fans. Kevin Dolak, The Hollywood Reporter, 5 Mar. 2024 As uncommon as appeal bonds are, the need for an individual to secure such a massive bond is significantly less common. Kara Scannell, CNN, 1 Mar. 2024 This offers scientists an uncommon opportunity to study the corona. Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY, 1 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'uncommon.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1576, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of uncommon was circa 1576

Dictionary Entries Near uncommon

Cite this Entry

“Uncommon.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/uncommon. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

uncommon

adjective
un·​com·​mon ˌən-ˈkäm-ən How to pronounce uncommon (audio)
ˈən-
1
: not ordinarily found or experienced : unusual
not uncommon to catch a cold
2
: extraordinary, remarkable, exceptional
has uncommon ability
uncommonly adverb
uncommonness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on uncommon

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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