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

The ceaseless churn of NBA gossip and debate can feel larger than the game itself; it’s not uncommon for a trade rumor, quote or perceived insult to consume a news cycle.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Field studies that could answer these questions are uncommon because they require extensive time and funding.

Read more on Science Daily

The bad news is you have reverted to whatever method of conflict resolution you learned growing up, but the good news is these problems, while aggravating and infuriating, are not uncommon.

Read more on MarketWatch

Yet he also cuts with the quick twitch movement of a small speedster—an uncommon combination that is now turning him into a nightmare to defend.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

It’s not uncommon for business types to take meetings in the sauna, or for companies to organize a team-wide cold plunge.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

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