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noun C1 Advanced Uncommon

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 notes

In plain EnglishEither the state of being scarce, or a scarce thing itself.

Common pairings
a rarity these days increasing rarity

Word forms

rarities plural

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Test yourself on “rarity” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage

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.

Origin: Middle French

black swan lightning in a bottle one in a million rara avis rare bird unicorn

Antonyms

formula model rule standard standard thing

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.

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Definitions: FreeDict original editorial · etymology from Wiktionary