uncommon

[uhn-kom-uhn]

adjective

uncommoner, uncommonest 

1. not common; unusual; rare.

   an uncommon word.

   Synonyms: queer, peculiar, strange, singular, odd, infrequent, scarce

2. unusual in amount or degree; above the ordinary.

   an uncommon amount of mail.

   Synonyms: extraordinary

3. exceptional; remarkable.

   Synonyms: outstanding

uncommon

/ ʌnˈkɒmən /

adjective

1. outside or beyond normal experience, conditions, etc; unusual

2. in excess of what is normal

   an uncommon liking for honey

adverb

1. an archaic word for uncommonly

Other Word Forms

• uncommonness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of uncommon¹

First recorded in 1540–50; un- ¹ + common

Example Sentences

They said Cole regularly moved between addresses and that it was not uncommon for him to be out of touch with his family for periods of time.

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Rather than brush her aside, Correa do Lago suspended the talks -- an uncommon move that underscored Brazil's determination to show it was handling concerns seriously.

Read more on Barron's

Even as people become more transparent about their money, debt and spending, it is still uncommon to talk about saving — despite how important people say that is for their happiness.

Read more on MarketWatch

Even as people become more transparent about their money, debt and spending, it is still uncommon to talk about saving — despite how important people say that is for their happiness.

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Workplace pensions are now uncommon, and workers are essentially on their own when it comes to funding a multidecade retirement — complete with rising costs for healthcare, housing and overall inflation.

Read more on MarketWatch

Related Words

• abnormal 
• bizarre 
• egregious 
• exceptional 
• extraordinary 
• infrequent 
• noteworthy 
• odd 
• peculiar 
• rare 
• remarkable 
• singular 
• startling 
• strange 
• surprising 
• unique 
• unusual