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

A hearing like this, in which the nominee has recently joked about an assault on the committee chairman, is a rarity.

From Slate • Mar. 18, 2026

The jury concluded: "The rarity of the disease and unusual presentation led to a difficulty in reaching a diagnosis but this did not affect the outcome."

From BBC • Mar. 5, 2026

On top of its rarity and quality, this Pikachu Illustrator card had been placed in a bejeweled case on a diamond necklace and was worn by Paul at WWE WrestleMania 38 in 2022.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 17, 2026

He knows the economy has changed since his parents started their careers: His father earned a pension early on, a rarity these days.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 16, 2026

Most of the guests back up, making way for this rarity, this dazzling creation with blue-green, white-tipped icing waves swimming with fish and sailboats, seals and sea flowers.

From "Mockingjay" by Suzanne Collins

Related Words

• infrequency
• rareness
• uncommonness