rarity

American  

[rair-i-tee] / ˈrɛər ɪ ti /

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 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

---

Etymology

Origin of rarity

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

Example Sentences

In fact, uncertainty isn’t a rarity in markets; it’s the norm.

From The Wall Street Journal

Celtic folk will feel they should still be locked together with Rangers on points and would be had it not been for that red card, a rarity for them in domestic football.

From BBC

Unattached observers here relish in a rarity: a really competitive election.

From BBC

The service is worthwhile for collectors looking to keep track of high-value cards in the market, including their rarity and value.

From Los Angeles Times

Winning at Etiwanda has been a rarity for many teams through the years.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• infrequency
• rareness
• uncommonness