rarity

American  

[rair-i-tee] / ˈrɛər ɪ ti /

noun

plural

rarities

1. something rare, unusual, or uncommon.

   Snowstorms are a rarity in the South.

2. something esteemed or interesting in being rare, uncommon, or curious.

   That folio is a rarity that will bring a good price.

3. the state or quality of being rare.

4. rare occurrence; infrequency.

   Volcanic eruptions on the island occur with great rarity.

5. unusual excellence.

6. thinness, as of air or a gas.

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rarity British  

/ ˈrɛərɪtɪ /

noun

1. a rare person or thing, esp something interesting or valued because it is uncommon

2. the state or quality of being rare

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Etymology

Origin of rarity

1550–60; < Latin rāritās thinness, equivalent to rār ( us ) rare ¹ + -itās -ity

Example Sentences

Considering its prime location on the West Coast and the rarity of NFL team sales, Seattle is expected to draw strong interest once it officially hits the market.

From The Wall Street Journal

The last time sumo wrestlers travelled to France was in 1995, when such tours were common, but they have become something of a rarity in recent years.

From Barron's

In fact, uncertainty isn’t a rarity in markets; it’s the norm.

From The Wall Street Journal

Celtic folk will feel they should still be locked together with Rangers on points and would be had it not been for that red card, a rarity for them in domestic football.

From BBC

Unattached observers here relish in a rarity: a really competitive election.

From BBC

Related Words

• infrequency
• rareness
• uncommonness