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Definition of rarefied

rarefied

/ˈrer.ə.faɪd/
rar · e · fied
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rarefied Lexical Profile

rarefied Game Scores & Validity

• adjective

1

Distant from the lives and concerns of ordinary people; exclusive, esoteric, or elevated in character.

Example

"The symposium attracted scholars from the rarefied world of theoretical astrophysics."

2

Having lower density or pressure than usual, especially containing less oxygen at high altitudes (of air or gas).

Example

"Mountaineers must acclimatize slowly to breathe comfortably in the rarefied air of the Himalayas."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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Word Nuance & Usage

Often misspelled as "rarified" by analogy with "rarity," the standard spelling "rarefied" preserves the "e" from its base verb "rarefy."

• Rhymes for rarefied

• Nearby Words

rapunzel
rare
rarebit
rarefied
rarely
rareness
raring

Word Origin & Etymology

Derived from the verb rarefy, which entered English via Middle French rarefier from Latin rarefacere, combining rarus ("thin" or "sparse") and facere ("to make").

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Rarefied. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/rarefied
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