Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

Thesaurus

rare

adjective

Synonyms and Antonyms of rare

1 being out of the ordinary

  • even among the prize-winning roses, this one is a rare beauty
Synonyms of rare

aberrant, aberrated, abnormal, anomalous, atypical, especial, exceeding, exceptional, extraordinaire, extraordinary, freak, odd, peculiar, phenomenal, preternatural, singular, uncommon, uncustomary, unique, unusual, unwonted
Words Related to rare

conspicuous, notable, noticeable, outstanding, prominent, remarkable, salient, striking

bizarre, deviant, eccentric, freakish, monstrous, oddball, outlandish, quaint, strange, weird

incomprehensible, inconceivable, incredible, unimaginable, unthinkable
Near Antonyms of rare

everyday, familiar, frequent
Antonyms of rare

common, customary, normal, ordinary, typical, unexceptional, unextraordinary, usual

2 having qualities that appeal to a refined taste

  • rare specialty wools, such as cashmere, prized for their fineness, lightness and exceptional warmth
Synonyms of rare

choice, dainty, delicate, elegant, exquisite, fine, recherché, select
Words Related to rare

bijou, jewellike

better, exceptional, fancy, high-grade, special

elite, exclusive

classic, excellent, fabulous, first-class, first-rate, grand, great, marvelous (or marvellous), noble, outstanding, par excellence, premium, prime, sensational, splendid, stellar, sterling, superb, superior, superlative, supernal, terrific, tip-top, top, top-notch, transcendent, unsurpassed, wonderful

ultrarare
Near Antonyms of rare

coarse, gross, kitsch, kitschy, lowbrow, raffish, rough, rough-hewn, tasteless, uncultivated, uncultured, unpolished, unrefined, vulgar

commercial, mass-produced, popular

common, ordinary

average, lesser, mediocre, run-of-the-mill, run-of-the-mine (or run-of-mine), second-class, second-rate

deficient, inferior, low-grade, substandard, unacceptable, unsatisfactory, wanting

3 not often occurring or repeated

  • the French pronunciation of the familyʼs name is rare, except in Louisiana
Synonyms of rare

infrequent, isolated, occasional, odd, sporadic
Words Related to rare

scarce, scattered, uncommon, unique, unusual

choppy, discontinuous, erratic, fitful, intermittent, irregular, spasmodic, spotty, unsteady
Phrases Synonymous with rare

few and far between
Near Antonyms of rare

daily, regular

common, ordinary, routine
Antonyms of rare

frequent

4 noticeably different from what is generally found or experienced

  • "Such good manners are rare these days," remarked Mrs. Denby, as the young man let her go ahead of him in line
Synonyms of rare

curious, extraordinary, funny, odd, offbeat, out-of-the-way, peculiar, queer, singular, strange, unaccustomed, uncommon, uncustomary, unique, unusual, weird
Words Related to rare

bizarre, eccentric, far-out, kooky (also kookie), oddball, outlandish, outré, way-out

aberrant, abnormal, atypical, exceptional, irregular

newsworthy, notable, noteworthy, noticeable, particular, remarkable, special
Near Antonyms of rare

unexceptional

expected, predictable

familiar, normal, regular, typical
Antonyms of rare

common, ordinary, plain, usual

Synonym Discussion of rare

choice, exquisite, elegant, rare, delicate, dainty mean having qualities that appeal to a cultivated taste. choice stresses preeminence in quality or kind.
    • choice fabric
exquisite implies a perfection in workmanship or design that appeals only to very sensitive taste.
    • an exquisite gold bracelet
elegant applies to what is rich and luxurious but restrained by good taste.
    • a sumptuous but elegant dining room
rare suggests an uncommon excellence.
    • rare beauty
delicate implies exquisiteness, subtlety, and fragility.
    • delicate craftsmanship
dainty sometimes carries an additional suggestion of smallness and of appeal to the eye or palate.
    • dainty sandwiches

Learn More about rare

  1. See words that rhyme with rare Dictionary: Definition of rare Spanish Central: Translation of rare Nglish: Translation of rare for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of rare for Arabic speakers

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up rare? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show comments hide comments

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games