adv B2 Upper-Intermediate Uncommon

seldom

SEHL-duhm

Seldom (adv) means not often; rarely. Example: “She seldom eats out during the week.”

adv

Not often; rarely.

"She seldom eats out during the week."

"He seldom, if ever, raises his voice."

How to use seldom

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishHardly ever; not very often.

When to use it

Slightly more formal or literary than "rarely" or "hardly ever" in everyday speech.

Common pairings

seldom seen seldom used seldom if ever

Word forms

more seldom comparative, seldomer comparative, more seldom comparative, seldomer comparative, most seldom superlative, seldomest superlative, most seldom superlative, seldomest superlative

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She _____ eats out during the week.

Etymology

From Old English seldan, "seldom," related to German selten and Dutch zelden.

Origin: Old English

Synonyms

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rarely infrequently hardly ever scarcely ever

Related words

often frequently rarely occasionally

Frequently asked questions

What does “seldom” mean?

The word “seldom” means not often; rarely. In plain terms, hardly ever; not very often.

How do you pronounce “seldom”?

“Seldom” is pronounced SEHL-duhm (/ˈsɛldəm/ in IPA).

How do you use “seldom” in a sentence?

Here is “seldom” used in a sentence: “She seldom eats out during the week.”

What part of speech is “seldom”?

“Seldom” is an adverb.

Where does the word “seldom” come from?

The word “seldom” comes from Old English. From Old English seldan, "seldom," related to German selten and Dutch zelden.

Is “seldom” a common word?

“Seldom” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.

What is the difference between seldom and rarely?

Seldom and rarely are close synonyms, both meaning 'not often,' but seldom has a slightly more formal or literary tone, while rarely is used more frequently in everyday speech.

Where does seldom go in a sentence?

Seldom typically appears before the main verb, as in 'She seldom complains,' but it can also be placed at the start of a sentence for emphasis, triggering subject-verb inversion, as in 'Seldom does she complain.'

Is seldom a formal word?

Yes, seldom is somewhat more formal or literary than everyday alternatives like 'rarely' or 'hardly ever,' and it appears more often in writing than in casual conversation.

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