rare

¹ American  

[rair] / rɛər /

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, 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 American  

[rair] / rɛər /

adjective

rarer, rarest

1. (of meat) cooked just slightly.

   He likes his steak rare.

---

rare ³ American  

[rair] / rɛər /

verb (used without object)

Older Use.

rared, raring

1. rear.

---

rare ¹ British  

/ 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 British  

/ rɛə /

adjective

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

---

Other Word Forms

• rareness
  noun

Etymology

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”

Explanation

If an event is rare, it doesn't happen often. If an object is rare, there aren't many of its kind. Obviously, finding a rare gem is a rare occasion. Rare comes from the Latin word rarus, meaning “widely spaced,” as rare things are — whether in actual space or in time. You thought it was rare to meet someone you have so much in common with, until he fainted looking at the rare steak you ordered. The rare that describes prepared meat actually has a separate origin: it comes from the long-gone word rear, meaning “half-cooked.”

Example Sentences

Authorities also need to figure out where and how the rare Andean strain of the virus emerged.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 8, 2026

On a rare off day in Los Angeles, Sparks guard Kelsey Plum settles into a quieter rhythm.

From Los Angeles Times • May 8, 2026

Since returning from a rare injury against Burnley, Sunday's victory over Liverpool was only the third match out of 16 in all competitions when Fernandes has not either scored a goal or created one.

From BBC • May 8, 2026

Legal experts said it is rare for a court to overturn the outcome of a statewide vote, though not unprecedented in Virginia.

From Barron's • May 8, 2026

Any show of effort by the twins was as rare as a great comet, and she intended to take advantage.

From "The Long-Lost Home" by Maryrose Wood

Related Words

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