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Synonyms

rarity

American  
[rair-i-tee] / ˈrɛər ɪ ti /

noun

rarities plural
  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 British  
/ 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

"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

Other Word Forms

Inflected Forms

noun

Etymology

Origin of rarity

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

Vocabulary lists containing rarity

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

She joined a list which has included amongst others the 2022 winner fiddler Eryn Rae, pianist Michael Biggins, piper Ali Levack, fiddler Benedict Morris and singer Hannah Rarity.

From BBC • Feb. 5, 2024

Twilight Sparkle, Applejack, Rainbow Dash, Pinkie Pie, Fluttershy and Rarity embark on an epic journey to save Ponyville from a dark force.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 19, 2019

Rarity and super-popularity are both seen as mixed blessings in canine competition, and sometimes in the purebred dog world as a whole.

From Seattle Times • Feb. 12, 2019

Rarity has always intrigued antiques dealer Alan Bedwell.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 16, 2015

Spain, Melancholy State of the Fine Arts in, i, 217; Rarity of Female Portraits in, iii, 191.

From Anecdotes of Painters, Engravers, Sculptors and Architects and Curiosities of Art (Vol. 3 of 3) by Spooner, Shearjashub

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