B1adjective2K

Rare

UK /["/reə(r)/"]/US /["/rer/"]/

Definition

not done, seen, happening, etc. very often

In simple words: not common or usual

Examples

  • The museum has a collection of rare artifacts from ancient civilizations.
  • Finding a four-leaf clover is a rare occurrence.
  • He is a rare talent in the music industry.
  • It's rare to see such dedication in a young person.
  • They discovered a rare species of bird in the forest.

Usage notes

Used to describe something that is not often found or experienced. Suitable in both spoken and written contexts. Avoid using in very informal situations.

Grammar pattern

standalone adjective

Memory hint

Think of a rare treasure — it's valuable because it's hard to find.

Collocations

  • be
  • seem
  • become
  • extremely
  • fairly
  • very
  • be
  • seem
  • become
  • extremely
  • fairly
  • very

Synonyms

  • uncommon
  • infrequent
  • sparse
  • exceptional

Antonyms

  • common
  • usual
  • frequent

Common mistakes

  • Confusing 'rare' with 'rarely', which has a different meaning.
  • Using 'rare' to describe frequency instead of quality.
  • Misplacing 'rare' in sentences, leading to unclear meaning.