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rare
/rɛər/
not common
Rare coins are valuable to collectors.
Coins that are not commonly found are considered valuable by collectors.
general
Not occurring very often; uncommon.
This is a rare opportunity.
This is an uncommon chance.
She has a rare talent for music.
She possesses an uncommon skill in music.
Used to describe things that are not frequently seen or experienced.
culinary
Cooked lightly so the inside is still red or pink.
I like my steak cooked rare.
I prefer my steak cooked lightly so the inside remains red.
Commonly used in the context of meat preparation.
formal/literary
Very unusual or remarkable.
A rare beauty graced the stage.
An exceptionally beautiful person appeared on stage.
Often used to emphasize the extraordinary nature of something.
Collocations
rare eventan uncommon occurrencerare diseasean uncommon illnessrare breedan uncommon type of animal or person
Pro Tip
Avoid confusion with 'well-done'
When ordering meat, 'rare' means the inside is still cool and red, not fully cooked. This is the opposite of 'well-done'.
Gold Rule
Use 'rare' for both tangible and intangible things
Apply 'rare' to physical objects (rare coins) and abstract concepts (rare talent).
Word Origin
From Middle English 'rere', from Old English 'hrēre' (thin, lean), influenced by Old French 'rar' (sparse). Ultimately from Latin 'rarus' (sparse, thin).
Usage Notes
Used to describe both physical scarcity and abstract uncommonness. In cooking, 'rare' specifically refers to meat cooked just enough to sear the outside while keeping the inside cool.
English Dictionary