rarity
Americannoun
plural
rarities-
something rare, unusual, or uncommon.
Snowstorms are a rarity in the South.
-
something esteemed or interesting in being rare, uncommon, or curious.
That folio is a rarity that will bring a good price.
-
the state or quality of being rare.
-
rare occurrence; infrequency.
Volcanic eruptions on the island occur with great rarity.
-
unusual excellence.
-
thinness, as of air or a gas.
noun
-
a rare person or thing, esp something interesting or valued because it is uncommon
-
the state or quality of being rare
Etymology
Origin of rarity
1550–60; < Latin rāritās thinness, equivalent to rār ( us ) rare 1 + -itās -ity
Vocabulary lists containing rarity
"My Last Duchess" by Robert Browning
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
"The Tempest," Vocabulary from Acts 1 and 2
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
While the MV Hondius outbreak is serious, the rarity of the virus and the highly specific set of circumstances don’t currently indicate a broader threat likely to spread rapidly across multiple ships.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 9, 2026
And because rarity equates to value, standard issue 1997 cards featuring the late Lakers great retail for a pedestrian $100 to $300.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 24, 2026
Even though Ives doesn’t cover most of the stocks in the new ETF, attaching his name and brand to another fund is a rarity on Wall Street.
From Barron's • Apr. 8, 2026
And that would be a rarity for him at the Estadio Jose Alvalade.
From BBC • Apr. 7, 2026
A quarter century ago, cancer in children was considered a medical rarity.
From "Silent Spring" by Rachel Carson
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
