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View synonyms for

rarely

[ rair-lee ]

adverb

  1. on rare occasions; infrequently; seldom:

    I'm rarely late for appointments.

  2. exceptionally; in an unusual degree.
  3. unusually or remarkably well; excellent.


rarely

/ ˈɛəɪ /

adverb

  1. hardly ever; seldom

    I'm rarely in town these days

  2. to an unusual degree; exceptionally
  3. dialect.
    uncommonly well; excellently

    he did rarely at market yesterday

“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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Usage

Since rarely means hardly ever , one should not say something rarely ever happens
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Word History and Origins

Origin of rarely1

First recorded in 1515–25; rare 1 + -ly
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

When I think of the most fashionable women I’ve known or admired from afar, they rarely chase trends.

From

When the phone rings at 4 AM, it rarely means anything good.

From

In conservation we rarely have all the knowledge we need to make important decisions in the face of biodiversity loss.

From

Elsewhere in the grand expanse of Lucas’ universe, the right moves are rarely preordained.

From

Aparicio says his dad has rarely been able to talk about this sensitive period: “It’s part of why he stopped making that type of work.”

From

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rare gasrarely ever