rarity

[rair-i-tee]

noun

plural

rarities 

1. something rare, unusual, or uncommon.

   Snowstorms are a rarity in the South.

2. something esteemed or interesting in being rare, uncommon, or curious.

   That folio is a rarity that will bring a good price.

3. the state or quality of being rare.

4. rare occurrence; infrequency.

   Volcanic eruptions on the island occur with great rarity.

5. unusual excellence.

6. thinness, as of air or a gas.

rarity

/ ˈrɛərɪtɪ /

noun

1. a rare person or thing, esp something interesting or valued because it is uncommon

2. the state or quality of being rare

Word History and Origins

Origin of rarity¹

1550–60; < Latin rāritās thinness, equivalent to rār ( us ) rare ¹ + -itās -ity

Example Sentences

An event that started off as a bluff has outgrown its genre roots to become a legitimate destination for rabid film fans, boasting rarities and prestige titles alike.

From Los Angeles Times

Still, even American-style Chinese food is somewhat of a rarity along Highway 395, the artery that connects the communities along the east side of the jagged Sierra Nevada mountains.

From Los Angeles Times

George Michael too knew that “Faith” was a career rarity, and so pre-emptively decided to go in a different direction.

From Salon

Because of this rarity, he adds that "historical data tends to be a weak basis for establishing any priceable insights".

From BBC

An aviation rarity touched down in the Norway's second city of Bergen earlier this month.

From BBC

Related Words

• infrequency 
• rareness www.thesaurus.com
• uncommonness www.thesaurus.com