rarefied

[rair-uh-fahyd]

adjective

1. extremely high or elevated; lofty; exalted.

   the rarefied atmosphere of a scholarly symposium.

2. of, belonging to, or appealing to an exclusive group; select; esoteric.

   rarefied tastes.

rarefied

/ ˈrɛərɪˌfaɪd /

adjective

1. exalted in nature or character; lofty

   a rarefied spiritual existence

2. current within only a small group; esoteric or exclusive

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

Other Word Forms

• ultrararefied adjective
• unrarefied adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of rarefied¹

First recorded in 1660–70; rarefy + -ed ²

Example Sentences

While Moriarity possesses a rarefied level of wealth, she said her “superpower” is not measuring her lifestyle against others.

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In that rarefied setting, Freymond quickly made a name for himself.

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We may suspect that the rarefied air at the top of the world might not be quite this cool.

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There are two tennis geniuses operating in a rarefied atmosphere—and then there’s everyone else.

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After the fortnight the prime minister has had, a spot of rarefied pageantry is just the ticket.

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Related Words

• esoteric 
• exalted 
• lofty