rarefy

American  

[rair-uh-fahy] / ˈrɛər əˌfaɪ /

verb (used with object)

rarefied, rarefying

1. to make rare or rarer; make less dense.

   to rarefy a gas.

2. to make more refined, spiritual, or exalted.

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verb (used without object)

rarefied, rarefying

1. to become rare or less dense; become thinned.

   Moisture rarefies when heated.

rarefy British  

/ ˈrɛərɪˌfaɪ /

verb

1. to make or become rarer or less dense; thin out

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Other Word Forms

• rarefiable adjective
• rarefier noun

Etymology

Origin of rarefy

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English rarefien, from Middle French rarefier, from Medieval Latin rārificāre, from Latin rārēfacere, equivalent to rārē-, irregular, unexplained combining form of rārus + facere “to make”; rare ¹, -fy

Example Sentences

Trial testimony provided a window into the rarefied world of high-stakes poker, with jurors hearing of gamblers in Asia who went by the names “Chairman” and “Tango.”

From The Wall Street Journal

They'll drop to second if France beat Italy on Sunday, but second after three games is rarefied air for Gregor Townsend and his team.

From BBC

The last time Ireland visited Allianz Stadium, in 2024, they had just equalled England's Six Nations record of 11 straight wins and were chasing the rarefied air of back-to-back Grand Slams.

From BBC

The veteran prop, 36, will enter rarefied air on Sunday when he takes the field in Christchurch against the Canterbury Crusaders as he closes in on the all-time appearance record of 202.

From Barron's

Pilots log hundreds of hours chasing imaginary cars, bikes, and skiers through digital landscapes to practice—so that when the whole world is watching, they can reach their own rarefied plane of athletic zen.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• attenuate