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Definition of rarity

rarity

/ˈrɛr.ə.ti/
rar · i · ty
Adverb:rarely
•
Plural:rarities
•
Adjective:rare
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rarity Lexical Profile

rarity Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

The state or quality of being uncommon, scarce, or infrequent.

Example

"The extreme rarity of this alpine orchid makes it a top priority for botanical conservationists."

2

Something that is uncommon, unusual, or highly prized specifically because it is hard to find.

Example

"First-edition manuscripts from the seventeenth century are prized rarities among book collectors."

3

Thinness or low density of matter, especially of air at high altitudes.

Example

"Climbers had to acclimatize slowly because of the rarity of the atmosphere near the summit."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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• Rhymes for rarity

• Nearby Words

rareness
raring
raritan
rarity
ras dashen
ras el hanout
rasbora

Word Origin & Etymology

Borrowed in the late 16th century from Middle French rareté or directly from Latin raritas, meaning 'looseness of texture, thinness, or fewness,' derived from the adjective rarus ('thinly sown, sparse, rare').

Cite this Entry

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