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
Out of the box, “Sesame Street” was a rara avis: a mass-market hit on public TV, a kids’ show with sophistication and a wild countercultural energy.
From New York Times ● Dec. 12, 2021
Every four or eight years, whenever the president has served two complete terms or has not been reelected for a second term, we get a sighting of a genuine rara avis: a Lame Duck President.
From Slate ● Nov. 24, 2020
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.
