rare
English meaning: Rare
Definition
Not happening or found very often.
Example
“Snow is rare in this region, so children get excited when it finally falls.”
Another example: “On the rare occasions he cooks, the kitchen ends up a mess.”
Usage — When, Where & How
A common adjective for something not often found or happening; patterns include 'a rare occasion' and 'on rare occasions'. Of meat, 'rare' separately means lightly cooked. Used in all registers.
Etymology & Origin
English — Origin & History
From Latin 'rarus' (thin, scattered).
Related Words
- rarity
- rarely
- scarce
- uncommon
Common Collocations
- rare occasion
- extremely rare
- rare opportunity
- rare breed
Word Forms
rare; rarer; rarest; rarely (adv); rarity (n)
Word Tools
Literary Heritage
“To thine own self be true, and it must follow, as the night the day, thou canst not then be false to any man.”
/To thine own self be true/
“Be honest with yourself — and as naturally as night follows day, you will be unable to be false to others.”
“I'm nobody! Who are you? Are you nobody, too?”
/I'm nobody! Who are you?/
“I am nobody — and that quiet anonymity is more honest than the noise of public fame.”
Images
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Language information
- Language
- English
- English
- Script
- Latin
- Family
- Indo-European
- Speakers
- 1.5B