rarely

[rair-lee]

adverb

1. on rare occasions; infrequently; seldom.

   I'm rarely late for appointments.

2. exceptionally; in an unusual degree.

3. unusually or remarkably well; excellent.

rarely

/ ˈrɛəlɪ /

adverb

1. hardly ever; seldom

   I'm rarely in town these days

2. to an unusual degree; exceptionally

3. dialect,  uncommonly well; excellently

   he did rarely at market yesterday

Usage

Since rarely means hardly ever , one should not say something rarely ever happens

Word History and Origins

Origin of rarely¹

First recorded in 1515–25; rare ¹ + -ly

Example Sentences

Affordability for a government is rarely an absolute, it is a judgement about what is a priority at any given moment and therefore what isn't.

Read more on BBC

The educators, separately, debate the actions from various perspectives—often surprisingly but rarely compellingly.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Modesty is rarely a hallmark of Broadway musicals, as anyone who attends them regularly can attest.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The former law professor was rarely seen in public during the campaign, in contrast to Chakwera who held numerous rallies across Malawi.

Read more on BBC

But they remind us that market tops are rarely detected in real time.

Read more on Barron's

Related Words

• barely 
• hardly 
• infrequently www.thesaurus.com
• seldom