rarely

[ rair-lee ]

adverb

1. on rare occasions; infrequently; seldom:

   I'm rarely late for appointments.

2. exceptionally; in an unusual degree.
3. unusually or remarkably well; excellent.

rarely

/ ˈrɛəlɪ /

adverb

1. hardly ever; seldom

   I'm rarely in town these days

2. to an unusual degree; exceptionally
3. dialect.
   uncommonly well; excellently

   he did rarely at market yesterday

Usage

Since rarely means hardly ever , one should not say something rarely ever happens

Word History and Origins

Origin of rarely¹

First recorded in 1515–25; rare ¹ + -ly

Example Sentences

In 2020, the 40 biggest hits rarely hit 30 million streams, according to Quartz’s analysis of Spotify data.

From Quartz

While these happen relatively commonly in the real world, they rarely happen during candidate speeches or video calls, which are prime targets during an election season.

From Popular-Science

This is why you rarely smell when you’re blasting through a workout but no one wants to be around you an hour later.

From Popular-Science

In his studies of coyote diets, he’s rarely found remains of pets or signs of human food, pet food or garbage.

From Science News For Students

Patients with mental health conditions rarely receive discounted passes.

From Voice of San Diego

It is grandstanding for a right rarely protected unless under immediate attack.

From The Daily Beast

Morris struggled to straighten his back, which involved stiffening a spine rarely used.

From The Daily Beast

They had rarely seen their own fathers carry small children unless their mothers were ill.

From The Daily Beast

For those living in poor communities in particular, interactions with police rarely come with good news and a smile.

From The Daily Beast

The penalty is only rarely imposed, as members often resign before they can be voted out of Congress.

From The Daily Beast

The Vine is a universal favorite, and rarely out of view; while it often seems to cover half the ground in sight.

From Project Gutenberg

The case may be kept in a light position, and when once under way it will rarely need any additional water.

From Project Gutenberg

She has boldly reproduced upon canvas a fulness of life and joy, such as is rarely seen in pictures.

From Project Gutenberg

Rarely, sodium urate occurs in crystalline form—slender prisms, arranged in fan- or sheaf-like structures (Fig. 32).

From Project Gutenberg

They always imply desquamation of epithelium, which rarely occurs except in parenchymatous inflammations (Figs. 60 and 61).

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• barely
• hardly
• infrequently
• seldom