rarity

[ rair-i-tee ]

noun

, plural rar·i·ties.

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.

rarity

/ 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

Word History and Origins

Origin of rarity¹

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

Example Sentences

Now, within minutes of seeing a rarity, birders can text friends, alert listservs, post sightings to Facebook rare-birds groups, and—the choice of many—submit observations to eBird, a global online database.

From Outside Online

After seeing how much of a rarity she was in her new role at NASA and realizing the power of hip-hop, she decided to combine the two.

From Ozy

And, in another rarity, it ended up serving not so much as a companion but as a decoration.

From Ars Technica

With Yannick Ngakoue trade, Ravens get exactly what they need to keep pace with ChiefsNFL trades once were rarities as teams focused on the draft and free agent signings to construct their rosters.

From Washington Post

Jackets from other brands feature a similar price tag and rarity to Mountain Hardwear’s.

From Outside Online

The price reflects its rarity as well, but also the finicky, difficult, and nuanced process of making Champagne.

From The Daily Beast

Servin is a rarity: A cop who is being tried for his lethal actions.

From The Daily Beast

Still, sci-fi and fantasy that is actually motivated by the issues surrounding women is a rarity.

From The Daily Beast

These films tend to be a rarity in Hollywood, and usually come in smaller indie packages.

From The Daily Beast

She stressed the rarity of lifetime alimony and said that she believes that in a number of instances alimony remains a necessity.

From The Daily Beast

We can imagine that, as soon as a printed book ceased to be a great rarity, it became an object of great abhorrence.

From Project Gutenberg

Megaloblasts are found in pernicious anemia, and with extreme rarity in any other condition.

From Project Gutenberg

None knew better than Victoria the value and rarity of a free and courageous soul.

From Project Gutenberg

There must be a rarity of good Christians, then amongst the parsons; they are all fond of it.

From Project Gutenberg

These should, therefore, be particularly sought after, and their relative abundance or rarity in different situations noticed.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• infrequency
• rareness
• uncommonness