Meaning & Definition of word "Seldom"

Seldom

/ˈsɛl.dəm/

adverb:

  • 1. Not often; rarely.
    • Example: She seldom goes out to eat.
  • 2. Occurring infrequently.
    • Example: It seldom rains in the desert.
  • 3. Used to indicate that something happens very infrequently.
    • Example: He is a seldom-seen friend.
  • 4. Indicating a low frequency of occurrence.
    • Example: They seldom watch television at night.
  • 5. A term used to emphasize rarity.
    • Example: Such an event is seldom experienced.

Etymology

Old English seldan, from seld, meaning 'rare'.

Common Phrases and Expressions

seldom seen:

Something that is rarely observed.

seldom heard:

Something that is rarely listened to.

seldom if ever:

Hardly or almost never.

Related Words

seldomness:

The state or quality of being seldom.

seldomly:

In a seldom manner.

Slang Meanings of seldom

Meaning: Never

Example Sentence: I seldom, if ever, get to relax on weekends.