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View synonyms for

rare

1

[ rair ]

adjective

rarer, rarest.
  1. coming or occurring far apart in time; unusual; uncommon: His visits are rare occasions.

    a rare disease;

    His visits are rare occasions.

    Synonyms: , ,

    Antonyms:

  2. thinly distributed over an area; few and widely separated:

    Lighthouses are rare on that part of the coast.

    Synonyms: ,

    Antonyms:

  3. having the component parts not closely compacted together; not dense: lightheaded from the rare mountain air.

    rare gases;

    lightheaded from the rare mountain air.

  4. unusually great:

    a rare display of courage.

  5. unusually excellent; admirable; fine:

    She showed rare tact in inviting them.

    Synonyms: , ,

    Antonyms:



rare

2

[ rair ]

adjective

rarer, rarest.
  1. (of meat) cooked just slightly:

    He likes his steak rare.

rare

3

[ rair ]

verb (used without object)

Older Use.
rared, raring.

rare

1

/ ɛə /

adjective

  1. not widely known; not frequently used or experienced; uncommon or unusual

    a rare word

  2. occurring seldom

    a rare appearance

  3. not widely distributed; not generally occurring

    a rare herb

  4. (of a gas, esp the atmosphere at high altitudes) having a low density; thin; rarefied
  5. uncommonly great; extreme

    kind to a rare degree

  6. exhibiting uncommon excellence; superlatively good or fine

    rare skill

  7. highly valued because of its uncommonness

    a rare prize

“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

rare

2

/ ɛə /

adjective

  1. (of meat, esp beef) very lightly cooked
“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
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Derived Forms

  • ˈԱ, noun
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Other Word Forms

  • n noun
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Word History and Origins

Origin of rare1

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English rar(e), rer(e) “light, airy, loose,” from Latin ܲ “loose, porous, wide apart, thin, infrequent”

Origin of rare2

First recorded in 1610–20; variant of earlier rear, Middle English rere, hrere, Old English ŧ “(of eggs) lightly boiled”
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Word History and Origins

Origin of rare1

C14: from Latin ܲ sparse

Origin of rare2

Old English ŧ ; perhaps related to hreaw raw
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

There could also be some sightings of rare visitors such as the exotic European bee-eater, which have recently begun nesting in the UK.

From

But they may also use the Pope's funeral as a rare and unexpected opportunity to conduct a little impromptu diplomacy.

From

Friday's car explosion is not the first time Russian military figures have been attacked since the start of the war but targeted assassinations in Moscow are rare.

From

Holding a defendant — never mind a government official — in criminal contempt is rare.

From

“Well, how rare is that if you’re a movie nut?” asked Caldwell.

From

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