rarity
Americannoun
plural
rarities-
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.
noun
-
a rare person or thing, esp something interesting or valued because it is uncommon
-
the state or quality of being rare
Etymology
Origin of rarity
1550–60; < Latin rāritās thinness, equivalent to rār ( us ) rare 1 + -itās -ity
Vocabulary lists containing rarity
"My Last Duchess" by Robert Browning
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"The Tempest," Vocabulary from Acts 1 and 2
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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.
"When you hear 'croc', you instantly think of the rarity," said Rich.
From BBC • Apr. 22, 2026
There’s a difference, though, between something being a rarity in traders’ playbooks and them needing to order a whole new one.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 20, 2026
The first lady’s appearance Thursday itself was striking for its rarity.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 9, 2026
Even though Ives doesn’t cover most of the stocks in the new ETF, attaching his name and brand to another fund is a rarity on Wall Street.
From Barron's • Apr. 8, 2026
As Mrs. Frisby stepped from the elevator, it became obvious that strangers were a rarity down there, for the hubbub of a dozen conversations stopped abruptly, and all heads turned to look at her.
From "Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH" by Robert C. O'Brien
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
