Rarity

/ˈrɛrɪti/

Meaning & Definition

noun

The quality of being rare; uncommonness.

The rarity of the gemstone made it highly sought after by collectors.

Something that is rare; an uncommon event or object.

Finding a four-leaf clover is considered a rarity.

The infrequency or sparseness of occurrence.

Snow in the desert is a rarity that draws attention from meteorologists.

A rare or unusual person or thing.

Her talent for singing was a rarity in their small town.

An item or collectible that is difficult to find or is produced in limited quantities.

The first edition of that book is a rarity that many bibliophiles seek.

From Middle English 'rareté', from Old French 'rarete', from Latin 'raritas', from 'rarus' meaning 'rare'.

rarity in nature

An occurrence of something not commonly found in the natural world.

rarity value

The added worth of an item due to its infrequent occurrence.

Rarity breeds demand

The principle that rare items tend to be more sought after.

rare

Present in small numbers; not common.

scarce

In short supply; not easily found.

uncommon

Not seen or found very often.

A rare find or something special.

That vintage record is such a rarity, you won't find it anywhere else.

An instance or event that stands out due to its infrequency.

Having a snow day in April is a rarity around here.