rare
♦ rare /r'eər/ (rarer rarest)
1 [ADJ]
Something that is rare is not common and is therefore interesting or valuable.
...the black-necked crane, one of the rarest species in the world...
She collects rare plants...
≠ common
2 [ADJ] oft it v-link ADJ to-inf
An event or situation that is rare does not occur very often.
...on those rare occasions when he did eat alone...
Heart attacks were extremely rare in babies, he said...
= uncommon
≠ common
3 [ADJ] ADJ n
You use rare to emphasize an extremely good or remarkable quality.
Ferris has a rare ability to record her observations on paper...
4 [ADJ]
Meat that is rare is cooked very lightly so that the inside is still red.
Thick tuna steaks are eaten rare, like beef...
1 [ADJ]
Something that is rare is not common and is therefore interesting or valuable.
...the black-necked crane, one of the rarest species in the world...
She collects rare plants...
≠ common
2 [ADJ] oft it v-link ADJ to-inf
An event or situation that is rare does not occur very often.
...on those rare occasions when he did eat alone...
Heart attacks were extremely rare in babies, he said...
= uncommon
≠ common
3 [ADJ] ADJ n
You use rare to emphasize an extremely good or remarkable quality.
Ferris has a rare ability to record her observations on paper...
4 [ADJ]
Meat that is rare is cooked very lightly so that the inside is still red.
Thick tuna steaks are eaten rare, like beef...