uncommon

[ uhn-kom-uhn ]

adjective

uncommoner, uncommonest.

1. not common; unusual; rare:

   an uncommon word.

   Synonyms: queer, peculiar, strange, singular, odd, infrequent, scarce

2. unusual in amount or degree; above the ordinary:

   an uncommon amount of mail.

   Synonyms: extraordinary

3. exceptional; remarkable.

   Synonyms: outstanding

uncommon

/ ʌnˈkɒmən /

adjective

1. outside or beyond normal experience, conditions, etc; unusual
2. in excess of what is normal

   an uncommon liking for honey

adverb

1. an archaic word for uncommonly

Derived Forms

• unˈcommonness, noun

Other Word Forms

• un·common·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of uncommon¹

First recorded in 1540–50; un- ¹ + common

Example Sentences

Holmes’ willingness to stare into the murk to pull out the truth makes him an uncommon hero and an effective instrument of justice, rare and necessary qualities in a society corrupted by fear.

From Salon

Strong winds sweeping from Mongolia are not uncommon, especially at this time of the year.

From BBC

It is not uncommon for different parties to share power locally, with the number of councils not controlled by a single party rising in recent years.

From BBC

Officials say it's not uncommon for certain staff members to offer water to big cats if they get close to the boundary of the national park to lure them back into the forest.

From BBC

That’s especially so because the described symptoms — chronic fatigue, brain fog, insomnia, and dizziness among them — are not uncommon and often arise from other causes.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• abnormal
• bizarre
• egregious
• exceptional
• extraordinary
• infrequent
• noteworthy
• odd
• peculiar
• rare
• remarkable
• singular
• startling
• strange
• surprising
• unique
• unusual