rarity
REH-uh-ruh-tee
Rarity (noun) means the quality of being uncommon or scarce. Example: “The rarity of the gem drives up its price.”
noun
1
The quality of being uncommon or scarce.
"The rarity of the gem drives up its price."
2
Something that is uncommon or hard to find.
"A handwritten letter is a rarity these days."
How to use rarity
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither the state of being scarce, or a scarce thing itself.
Common pairings
a rarity these days
increasing rarity
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Word forms
- Plural
- rarities
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The _____ of the gem drives up its price.
Etymology
From rare + -ity, borrowed from Middle French rarité, from Latin rāritās; compare French rareté. See also rare.
Synonyms
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infrequency
oddment
curio
curiosity
peculiarity
oddity
black swan
lightning in a bottle
one in a million
rara avis
rare bird
unicorn
Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for rarity
See all rhymes for rarity →Frequently asked questions
What does “rarity” mean?
The word “rarity” means the quality of being uncommon or scarce. In plain terms, either the state of being scarce, or a scarce thing itself.
How do you pronounce “rarity”?
“Rarity” is pronounced REH-uh-ruh-tee (/ˈɹɛəɹəti/ in IPA).
How do you use “rarity” in a sentence?
Here is “rarity” used in a sentence: “The rarity of the gem drives up its price.”
What is another word for “rarity”?
Words with a similar meaning to “rarity” include black swan, lightning in a bottle, one in a million, rara avis, rare bird and unicorn.
What is the opposite of “rarity”?
The opposite of “rarity” — its antonyms — are formula, model, rule, standard and standard thing.
What part of speech is “rarity”?
“Rarity” is a noun.
Is “rarity” a common word?
“Rarity” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the C1 level.
How many meanings does “rarity” have?
“Rarity” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the quality of being uncommon or scarce.
