Rare Definition and Meaning
By Maham Liaqat & Fiza Rafique — Published on December 22, 2025
Rare means not common or frequent; uncommon in occurrence. e.g., Finding a four-leaf clover is considered rare.
Table of Contents
ADVERTISEMENT
Rare Definitions
Exceptionally great or excellent.
Her talent for painting is truly rare.
Not often found; unusual.
It's rare to see that species of bird in this region.
(Of meat) Lightly cooked, not well-done.
He ordered his steak rare.
Uncommon in occurrence or frequency.
A solar eclipse is a rare event in most places.
Extraordinarily fine or admirable.
The museum featured a rare collection of artifacts.
ADVERTISEMENT
Having properties that are not common.
The scientist studied a rare chemical compound.
Thinly distributed over an area; few and far between.
Trees are rare in the desert landscape.
Infrequently occurring; uncommon
A rare event.
A plant that is rare in this region.
Excellent; extraordinary
A rare sense of honor.
Thin in density; rarefied
Rare air.
Cooked just a short time so as to retain juice and redness
A rare steak.
Very uncommon; scarce.
Black pearls are very rare and therefore very valuable.
(of a gas) Thin; of low density.
Good; enjoyable.
(cooking) Particularly of meat, especially beefsteak: cooked very lightly, so the meat is still red.
Well done
(obsolete) Early.
(gaming) A scarce or uncommon item.
To rear, rise up, start backwards.
To rear, bring up, raise.
Early.
Rude mechanicals that rare and lateWork in the market place.
Nearly raw; partially cooked; not thoroughly cooked; underdone; as, rare beef or mutton.
New-laid eggs, which Baucis' busy careTurned by a gentle fire, and roasted rare.
Not frequent; seldom met with or occurring; unusual; as, a rare event.
Of an uncommon nature; unusually excellent; valuable to a degree seldom found.
Rare work, all filled with terror and delight.
Above the rest I judge one beauty rare.
Thinly scattered; dispersed.
Those rare and solitary, these in flocks.
Characterized by wide separation of parts; of loose texture; not thick or dense; thin; as, a rare atmosphere at high elevations.
Water is nineteen times lighter, and by consequence nineteen times rarer, than gold.
A perfect union of wit and judgment is one of the rarest things in the world.
When any particular piece of money grew very scarce, it was often recoined by a succeeding emperor.
Not widely known; especially valued for its uncommonness;
A rare word
Rare books
Recurring only at long intervals;
A rare appearance
Total eclipses are rare events
Not widely distributed;
Rare herbs
Rare patches of gree in the desert
Marked by an uncommon quality; especially superlative or extreme of its kind;
What is so rare as a day in June
A rare skill
An uncommon sense of humor
She was kind to an uncommon degree
Having low density;
Rare gasses
Lightheaded from the rarefied mountain air
(of meat) cooked a short time; still red inside;
Rare roast beef
Scarce; not widely available.
The book is rare and out of print.
Marked by unusual quality, merit, or appeal.
They found a rare antique at the flea market.
Requiring unusual interest, knowledge, or skill to appreciate.
The film is a rare gem in the genre of silent cinema.
Rare Snonyms
Scarce
Hard to find or not readily available.
Clean water is scarce in drought-affected regions.
Unusual
Not common, ordinary, or familiar.
Her choice of career path is unusual but fascinating.
Infrequent
Not occurring often.
Infrequent bus services make travel difficult in the area.
Unique
Being the only one of its kind; unlike anything else.
The artist is known for her unique style.
Exceptional
Standing out from the norm; extraordinary.
The student showed exceptional talent in mathematics.
Exquisite
Extremely beautiful and delicate.
She wore an exquisite dress to the gala.
Sparse
Thinly dispersed or scattered.
Vegetation is sparse in the rocky terrain.
Precious
Of great value; not to be wasted or treated carelessly.
The antique vase is precious and irreplaceable.
Limited
Available in restricted quantities.
The limited edition sneakers sold out quickly.
Uncommon
Not commonly found or done; unusual.
It's uncommon to find such dedication in volunteers.
Rare Idioms & Phrases
As rare as hen's teeth
Extremely rare or hard to find.
Affordable apartments in this city are as rare as hen's teeth.
A rare find
Something that is very unusual to come across.
This first edition comic book is a rare find.
Rare as gold dust
Extremely rare or hard to obtain.
In this competitive field, genuine creativity is as rare as gold dust.
A rare bird
Someone or something very unusual or exceptional.
A programmer who can also design is a rare bird in the tech industry.
A rare gem
Something or someone extraordinarily fine or admirable.
Her latest novel is a rare gem in contemporary literature.
Rare Example Sentences
Such a rare opportunity comes once in a lifetime.
His rare sense of humor always made her laugh.
They discovered a rare species of bird in the tropical forest.
Rare books are often found in special collections at universities.
It's rare for him to miss a deadline.
She has a rare ability to understand complex problems quickly.
They enjoyed a rare moment of peace in their busy lives.
The chef cooked the steak rare, just as the customer requested.
Finding a parking spot in this area is rare during weekdays.
He has a rare collection of vintage guitars.
The museum exhibited rare jewels from ancient times.
The condition is so rare that it affects only one in a million people.
The flower blooms are rare and only appear in the spring.
It was a rare sight to see the lake so calm and undisturbed.
The team's victory was a rare and celebrated event.
Common Curiosities
How many syllables are in rare?
There is one syllable in "rare."
How do we divide rare into syllables?
Rare is a single syllable, so it is not divided.
How is rare used in a sentence?
e.g., It's rare to find such dedication nowadays.
Why is it called rare?
It is called "rare" because it denotes something that is not common or occurs infrequently.
What is a stressed syllable in rare?
The entire word "rare" is stressed, as it is only one syllable.
What part of speech is rare?
"Rare" is an adjective.
What is the verb form of rare?
"Rare" does not have a verb form as it is an adjective.
What is the pronunciation of rare?
Rare is pronounced as /rɛər/ or /rer/, depending on the accent.
What is the root word of rare?
The root of "rare" comes from the Latin "rarus," meaning sparse or thinly scattered.
Is rare an abstract noun?
No, "rare" is an adjective, not a noun.
Is rare a negative or positive word?
"Rare" can be neutral, positive, or negative depending on the context.
Is rare a vowel or consonant?
The word "rare" starts with a consonant.
Is rare a countable noun?
"Rare" is not a noun; it is an adjective.
Which determiner is used with rare?
Determiners like "a" or "the" can be used with "rare" when it modifies a noun, e.g., "a rare occasion."
What is the singular form of rare?
"Rare" does not change in form between singular and plural because it is an adjective.
What is the plural form of rare?
"Rare" remains the same in plural usage as it is an adjective.
What is the opposite of rare?
The opposite of "rare" is "common."
Is rare a noun or adjective?
"Rare" is an adjective.
Is rare an adverb?
No, "rare" is not an adverb.
Is the rare term a metaphor?
"Rare" can be used metaphorically to emphasize the uncommon nature of something.
Is the word rare Gerund?
"Rare" is not a gerund because it is not a verb.
Is the word “rare” a Direct object or an Indirect object?
"Rare" cannot be a direct or indirect object because it is an adjective.
Which preposition is used with rare?
Prepositions like "in" or "for" can be used with "rare," depending on the context, e.g., "rare in this region."
Which article is used with rare?
Both "a" and "the" can be used with "rare," depending on the context, e.g., "a rare find" or "the rare book."
What is another term for rare?
Another term for "rare" is "uncommon."
Is rare a collective noun?
No, "rare" is an adjective, not a noun.
Is the word rare imperative?
"Rare" cannot be imperative as it is not a verb.
Which conjunction is used with rare?
Conjunctions such as "and" or "but" can be used in sentences involving "rare."
Which vowel is used before rare?
The choice of vowel before "rare" depends on the preceding word; no specific rule applies.
Share Your Discovery
Previous Term
Guess Definition and Meaning
Next Term
Incredulous Definition and MeaningAuthor Spotlight
Written by
Maham Liaqat
Co-written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
