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Synonyms

rarity

American  
[rair-i-tee] / ˈrɛər ɪ ti /

noun

rarities plural
  1. something rare, unusual, or uncommon.

    Snowstorms are a rarity in the South.

  2. something esteemed or interesting in being rare, uncommon, or curious.

    That folio is a rarity that will bring a good price.

  3. the state or quality of being rare.

  4. rare occurrence; infrequency.

    Volcanic eruptions on the island occur with great rarity.

  5. unusual excellence.

  6. thinness, as of air or a gas.


rarity British  
/ ˈrɛərɪtɪ /

noun

  1. a rare person or thing, esp something interesting or valued because it is uncommon

  2. the state or quality of being rare

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

Inflected Forms

noun

Etymology

Origin of rarity

1550–60; < Latin rāritās thinness, equivalent to rār ( us ) rare 1 + -itās -ity

Vocabulary lists containing rarity

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Twilight Sparkle, Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy and Rarity embark on an epic journey to save Ponyville from a dark force.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 19, 2019

Rarity and super-popularity are both seen as mixed blessings in canine competition, and sometimes in the purebred dog world as a whole.

From Seattle Times • Feb. 12, 2019

"The likes of Mint Velvet, Finery and Modern Rarity are all targeting a similar customer," she says.

From BBC • Jan. 28, 2018

Rarity has always intrigued antiques dealer Alan Bedwell.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 16, 2015

Rarity of new American-born Greatnesses after the war.

From Boon, The Mind of the Race, The Wild Asses of the Devil, and The Last Trump; Being a First Selection from the Literary Remains of George Boon, Appropriate to the Times by Wells, H. G. (Herbert George)

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