rarely

American  

[rair-lee] / ˈrɛər li /

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.

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rarely British  

/ 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

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Usage

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

Etymology

Origin of rarely

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

Example Sentences

It was uncharacteristic for the six-time Grand Slam winner, who rarely loses consecutive matches.

From Barron's

The band toured extensively and exhaustively, and rarely declined an invitation in the late 1960s and early ’70s to play at small and large outdoor festivals when many of them were proudly free.

From The Wall Street Journal

Like many countries in east Africa, there are laws governing how the national flag may be used, though these were rarely enforced in Uganda in the past.

From Barron's

According to Kader, this type of coronal gas is usually found very close to a black hole and rarely spreads far into the host galaxy.

From Science Daily

But we rarely hear of seniors seeing a psychiatrist, psychologist or other mental-health provider.

From MarketWatch

Related Words

• barely
• hardly
• infrequently
• seldom