rare
19 synonyms and 2 antonyms for rare, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adj — Not common; found or happening only occasionally.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
How to use rare
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Latin rarus, "thin, spaced apart, infrequent" — the idea of things being spread far apart gave us the modern sense of "uncommon."
Full origin of rare →Frequently asked questions
What does “rare” mean?
The word “rare” means not common; found or happening only occasionally. In plain terms, not seen or happening very often — or, for meat, barely cooked.
How do you pronounce “rare”?
“Rare” is pronounced reh-uh (/ɹɛɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “rare” in a sentence?
Here is “rare” used in a sentence: “A total solar eclipse is a rare sight.”
What is another word for “rare”?
Words with a similar meaning to “rare” include dearthy, few and far between, geason, infrequent, in short supply and raresome.
What is the opposite of “rare”?
The opposite of “rare” — its antonyms — are common and widespread.
What part of speech is “rare”?
“Rare” is an adjective.
Where does the word “rare” come from?
The word “rare” comes from Latin. From Latin rarus, "thin, spaced apart, infrequent" — the idea of things being spread far apart gave us the modern sense of "uncommon.".
Is “rare” a common word?
“Rare” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
What is the difference between rare and scarce?
'Rare' means few of something exist and it is seldom found or seen at all, such as rare stamps or a rare bird. 'Scarce' means something is temporarily in short supply relative to demand, like water in a drought. Rare describes lasting uncommonness, while scarce often describes a passing shortage.
What is the difference between rare and unique?
'Rare' means very few exist, so there are still others like it, just not many. 'Unique' means one of a kind, with nothing else quite the same. Something rare is uncommon, while something unique is singular. Strictly, unique has no degrees, so the phrase 'very unique' is best avoided.
What is the opposite of rare?
The main opposites are 'common' and 'frequent,' describing things found or happening often. Depending on context, you might also use ordinary, widespread, or abundant. Where rare means seldom seen, its opposites all point to something encountered regularly or existing in large numbers everywhere.
Is rare a positive or negative word?
Rare is neutral and takes its tone from context. It is often positive, implying something special, precious, or valuable, as in a rare talent or a rare gem. But it can be negative too, as in a rare disease. The word describes scarcity; whether that is good or bad depends on the subject.