rara avis
Americannoun
-
rarae aves
plural
noun
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of rara avis
First recorded in 1600–10, rara avis is from Latin rāra avis “rare bird”
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.
When you see a really good player, that’s a rara avis — an enlightened individual.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 4, 2026
"I have very little respect for politicians of any persuasion, but Margaret is that rara avis, a dedicated, honest and committed representative of the people of Hong Kong," Sarony wrote.
From Reuters ● Jan. 31, 2022
Which is all to say that even if you haven’t heard of her, she is that rara avis of Hollywood: a working actor.
From Washington Post ● Feb. 20, 2015
Camera dollies around to appraise the man’s face—bold glasses framing an active gaze, a strong nose like the beak of a rara avis.
From Slate ● Apr. 4, 2014
Wickersham, whose full head of silver hair, mustache, and chiseled good looks made him resemble a misplaced Marlboro man, was a rara avis even by Sing Sing standards.
From "Newjack: Guarding Sing Sing" by Ted Conover
Random Word
Spin the wheel and learn a new word!
Get a wordDefinitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
