rarer; rarest
1
: seldom occurring or found : uncommon
2
a
: marked by unusual quality, merit, or appeal : distinctive
b
: superlative or extreme of its kind
3
: marked by wide separation of component particles : thin
rare air
rareness
noun
Examples of rare in a Sentence
Adjective (1)
even among the prize-winning roses, this one is a rare beauty
rare specialty wools, such as cashmere, prized for their fineness, lightness and exceptional warmth
the French pronunciation of the family's name is rare, except in Louisiana
"Such good manners are rare these days," remarked Mrs. Denby, as the young man let her go ahead of him in line
Recent Examples on the Web
Staff Author, PEOPLE, 31 Oct. 2025
Meanwhile, Merck’s newer drug Winrevair, which is used to treat a rare, deadly lung condition, recorded $360 million in sales for the quarter.
—Annika Kim Constantino, CNBC, 30 Oct. 2025
This rare spectacle happens only during the breeding season, between late May and late June.
—AFAR Media, 30 Oct. 2025
But the Nanotyrannus specimen is 100% complete, which is extraordinarily rare in the fossil record, Napoli noted.
—Katie Hunt, CNN Money, 30 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rare
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Adjective
While still rare, most airplane incidents occur while the aircraft is taking off or landing.
—Staff Author, PEOPLE, 31 Oct. 2025
Meanwhile, Merck’s newer drug Winrevair, which is used to treat a rare, deadly lung condition, recorded $360 million in sales for the quarter.
—Annika Kim Constantino, CNBC, 30 Oct. 2025
This rare spectacle happens only during the breeding season, between late May and late June.
—AFAR Media, 30 Oct. 2025
But the Nanotyrannus specimen is 100% complete, which is extraordinarily rare in the fossil record, Napoli noted.
—Katie Hunt, CNN Money, 30 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rare
Cite this Entry
“Rare.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rare. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
rare
2 of 2 adjective
rarer; rarest
: cooked so that the inside is still red
rare roast beef
Etymology
Adjective
Middle English rare "thin," from Latin rarus "rare"
Adjective
Old English hrēre "boiled lightly"
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