English Lexicon

Rare

/rɛər/
adjectiveCEFR B2 (Upper)Top #1500 frequency
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Comprehensive Definitions & Senses

2 senses
As adjective
  1. 1

    Uncommon; not occurring very often.

    "Finding a four-leaf clover is a rare occurrence."
  2. 2

    Of a quality or degree that is unusual or exceptional.

    "She has a rare talent for music that captivates everyone."

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Antonyms & Contrasting Words (1)

Linguistic Origin & Historical Etymology

The word 'rare' originates from the Latin 'rarus', meaning 'sparse' or 'thin'. It evolved through Old French 'raire' in the 14th century, maintaining its connotation of scarcity and unusualness.

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