seldom
SEHL-duhm
Seldom (adv) means not often; rarely. Example: “She seldom eats out during the week.”
adv
1
Not often; rarely.
"They seldom come here now."
"Finance is seldom romantic. But the idea of peer-to-peer lending comes close. This is an industry that brings together individual savers and lenders on online platforms. Those that want to borrow are matched with those that want to lend."
— , End of the peer show (2013)
"People who talk about an imminent possibility of war seldom pose this question: What would North Korea’s leadership get from unleashing a war that they are likely to lose in weeks, if not days?"
— Andrei Lankov, Stay Cool. Call North Korea’s Bluff (2013)
"She seldom eats out during the week."
"He seldom, if ever, raises his voice."
"My grandfather seldom goes out after dark, because he prefers his quiet evenings at home."
How to use seldom
Learner’s notesIn 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
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more seldom, seldomer
- Superlative
- most seldom, seldomest
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She _____ eats out during the week.
Etymology
From Old English seldan, "seldom," related to German selten and Dutch zelden.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
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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