Rare
/reər/
Definitions
2 meaningsHappening or existing only occasionally; not common or frequent.
/reər/
Not occurring very often; infrequent.
It's a rare opportunity to see such a talented artist perform.
💡 Simply: Imagine you have a toy that no one else has, like a super cool action figure! If it's hard to find anywhere else, it's considered rare. It is like finding a four-leaf clover.
👶 For kids: Something that doesn't happen very often is rare!
More Examples
The museum has a collection of rare artifacts from ancient civilizations.
Black diamonds are considered rare because of their unique formation process.
How It's Used
"Rare birds of prey nest in this area."
"A rare stamp can be worth a fortune."
Describing meat that is cooked very little; underdone.
/reər/
(Of meat) cooked very little; underdone.
The chef prepared the steak rare, just the way I like it.
💡 Simply: Imagine you're at a barbecue and order your hamburger. If the inside is still a little red, it's considered rare. It's like when you don't cook a marshmallow all the way.
👶 For kids: If a burger is still a little bit pink inside, it's called rare.
More Examples
She ordered her hamburger cooked rare so it would be juicy.
When eating a steak rare, the inside is still quite red.
How It's Used
"I prefer my steak rare."
From Middle English *rere*, from Old English *h rār* ('unripe, undercooked'), from Proto-Germanic *h rōzaz* ('raw'). Over time, it evolved to describe infrequency.
In older texts, 'rare' could also imply a high degree of quality or excellence, beyond just infrequency, a meaning still present in phrases like 'a rare skill'.
Memory tip
Think of a 'rare' steak – not cooked much, and therefore not seen often. Similar to things that are not seen often in life.
Word Origin
"raw, uncooked"