rare

¹

[rair]

adjective

rarer, rarest 

1. coming or occurring far apart in time; unusual; uncommon: His visits are rare occasions.

   a rare disease;

   His visits are rare occasions.

   Synonyms: singular, extraordinary, exceptional
   Antonyms: common

2. thinly distributed over an area; few and widely separated.

   Lighthouses are rare on that part of the coast.

   Synonyms: infrequent, infrequent, sparse
   Antonyms: frequent

3. having the component parts not closely compacted together; not dense: lightheaded from the rare mountain air.

   rare gases;

   lightheaded from the rare mountain air.

4. unusually great.

   a rare display of courage.

5. unusually excellent; admirable; fine.

   She showed rare tact in inviting them.

   Synonyms: inimitable, incomparable, choice
   Antonyms: inferior

rare

²

[rair]

adjective

rarer, rarest 

1. (of meat) cooked just slightly.

   He likes his steak rare.

rare

³

[rair]

verb (used without object)

Older Use.

rared, raring 

1. rear.

rare

¹

/ rɛə /

adjective

1. not widely known; not frequently used or experienced; uncommon or unusual

   a rare word

2. occurring seldom

   a rare appearance

3. not widely distributed; not generally occurring

   a rare herb

4. (of a gas, esp the atmosphere at high altitudes) having a low density; thin; rarefied

5. uncommonly great; extreme

   kind to a rare degree

6. exhibiting uncommon excellence; superlatively good or fine

   rare skill

7. highly valued because of its uncommonness

   a rare prize

rare

²

/ rɛə /

adjective

1. (of meat, esp beef) very lightly cooked

Other Word Forms

• rareness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of rare¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English rar(e), rer(e) “light, airy, loose,” from Latin rārus “loose, porous, wide apart, thin, infrequent”

Origin of rare²

First recorded in 1610–20; variant of earlier rear, Middle English rere, hrere, Old English hrēr “(of eggs) lightly boiled”

Word History and Origins

Origin of rare¹

C14: from Latin rārus sparse

Origin of rare²

Old English hrēr ; perhaps related to hreaw _raw

Example Sentences

Some came hunting for rare investment pieces, others simply to hold history in their hands.

From Los Angeles Times

The Smashing Machine marks a rare dramatic role for Johnson, who is best known for action franchises and family-friendly turns, including voicing a character in Disney's Moana animation.

From BBC

Firearm attacks on judges in the courtroom are rare but they do happen.

From BBC

A bear is believed to have attacked and killed a 60-year-old Missouri man who was camping in the Ozark National Forest in Arkansas in a rare fatal attack, according to local officials.

From BBC

A nail-biting affair decided by one team cashing in a rare scoring chance, and the other failing to do the same.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• extraordinary 
• limited 
• occasional 
• scarce 
• singular 
• strange 
• subtle 
• uncommon 
• unique 
• unlikely 
• unthinkable 
• unusual