rarity

[ rair-i-tee ]

/ ˈrɛər ɪ ti /

SEE SYNONYMS FOR rarity ON THESAURUS.COM

noun, plural rar·i·ties.

something rare, unusual, or uncommon: Snowstorms are a rarity in the South.

something esteemed or interesting in being rare, uncommon, or curious: That folio is a rarity that will bring a good price.

the state or quality of being rare.

rare occurrence; infrequency: Volcanic eruptions on the island occur with great rarity.

unusual excellence.

thinness, as of air or a gas.

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Origin of rarity

1550–60; < Latin rāritās thinness, equivalent to rār(us) rare¹ + -itās -ity

Words nearby rarity

rarely, rarely ever, rareripe, raring, raring to go, rarity, rark up, rarotonga, ras, ras addar, ras dashan

Example sentences from the Web for rarity

The price reflects its rarity as well, but also the finicky, difficult, and nuanced process of making Champagne.
Champagne: You’re Drinking It All Wrong|Kayleigh Kulp|December 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Servin is a rarity: A cop who is being tried for his lethal actions.
Chicago’s Cops Don’t Even Get Investigated for Shooting People in the Back|Justin Glawe|December 5, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Still, sci-fi and fantasy that is actually motivated by the issues surrounding women is a rarity.
Science-Fiction TV Finds a New Muse: Feminism|David Levesley|November 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST
These films tend to be a rarity in Hollywood, and usually come in smaller indie packages.
The Resurrection of Kristen Stewart|Marlow Stern|October 11, 2014|DAILY BEAST

She stressed the rarity of lifetime alimony and said that she believes that in a number of instances alimony remains a necessity.
Is Alimony Anti-Feminist?|Keli Goff|August 25, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Strange to say, in crossing the higher parts of the Andes not one of the party suffered from the rarity of the air.
The Rover of the Andes|R.M. Ballantyne
One such instance is worth repeating here, if only for its rarity.
The Myths and Fables of To-Day|Samuel Adams Drake
On account of the continuous ascent and the rarity of the atmosphere we have to rest every twenty or thirty steps.
Mount Rainier|Various
The rarity of such work as this greatly increases the importance of these Lincoln sculptures.
Bell's Cathedrals: The Cathedral Church of Lincoln|A. F. Kendrick
A variety in shade occurs, of some degree of rarity, printed in carmine.
Canada: Its Postage Stamps and Postal Stationery|Clifton Armstrong Howes

British Dictionary definitions for rarity

rarity

/ (ˈrɛərɪtɪ) /

noun plural -ties

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

the state or quality of being rare

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

rarity

noun, plural rar·i·ties.

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Origin of rarity

Words nearby rarity

Words related to rarity

Example sentences from the Web for rarity

British Dictionary definitions for rarity

noun plural -ties