rarity

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "rarity" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something or someone that is not common or easily found. For example: "The blue diamond is a rarity in the jewelry world."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Charles Kennedy (Former leader of Liberal Democrats dies aged 55, theguardian.com, 2 June) was a rarity in public life: a thoroughly decent man who was honest enough to admit his failings and who was not treated kindly for doing so.

The Guardian

Shortly before lunch on the third day England, after some real tribulations against the second new ball, were finally all out for 350, which meant that the sides had tied on first innings, something of a rarity, and the match had therefore become a one-innings game.

The Guardian - Sport

The few existing skilled managers of news businesses are rightfully hailed for their foresight – as well as their rarity.

The Guardian - Opinion

Earhart had been a rarity as a female aviator.

The Guardian

The stories of division and hostility are striking for their rarity.

The Guardian - Opinion

That said, a woman launching a serious bid for the US presidency is still a rarity.

The Guardian - Opinion

The pair can remember not so long ago when dancing wasn't a rarity in the birthplace of the Gueckedou jazz band, one of Guinea's most famous post-independence orchestras.

The Guardian

In fact, their rarity already has some executives describing them as "unicorns".

The Guardian

In my introduction to him, I said that I hoped attitudes to disability had changed since I was a child in the 1970s when having a disabled father was a rarity.

The Guardian - Opinion

Curved streets are a rarity in Manhattan, dating back to a pre-grid New York.

The Guardian

"The rarity with which the truncheons appear just helps to make violence harder to see," he writes.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the emotional weight. Use "rarity" when you wish to emphasize both value and possible vulnerability. If you intend to showcase merely a deficit, go for alternatives like "lack" or "shortage".

Common error

Avoid using "rarity" when simply indicating something is disliked or unwanted; "rarity" refers specifically to scarcity, not preference. For other senses, consider the semantic range of alternatives like "uncommonness", "unusualness", or "seldom seen".

Linguistic Context

The noun "rarity" functions as a subject, object, or complement in a sentence, denoting the state or quality of being rare. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness, appearing in diverse contexts to highlight scarcity or infrequency.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Formal & Business

22%

Science

14%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "rarity" is a grammatically sound and frequently used noun that describes the state of being uncommon or scarce. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and highlights its use across diverse contexts. Primarily found in news, business, and scientific domains, "rarity" serves to emphasize the infrequency or limited availability of something, often to underscore its value or significance. When writing, be mindful of the specific nuance you wish to convey: alternatives like "scarcity" or "infrequency" may be more appropriate depending on the context. As such, understanding its proper scope will result in a more accurate and expressive result.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

rareness

A direct synonym, emphasizing the state of being rare.

scarcity

Focuses on the limited quantity of something, often in relation to demand.

scarceness

Focuses on the limited availability or supply of something.

uncommonness

Highlights the lack of common occurrence or prevalence.

infrequency

Emphasizes how seldom something occurs or is found.

limited availability

Focuses on the restricted access or supply of something.

unusualness

Highlights the deviation from the norm or typical occurrence.

exceptionality

Emphasizes the unique or outstanding nature of something due to its scarcity.

deficiency

Implies a lack or inadequacy of something needed.

seldom seen

Illustrates that something is infrequently encountered.

FAQs

How can I use the word "rarity" in a sentence?

You can use "rarity" to describe something that is scarce or not commonly found. For example, "Honesty in politics is a "rarity" these days".

What are some synonyms for "rarity"?

Some synonyms for "rarity" include "scarcity", "infrequency", and "uncommonness". Choose the synonym that best fits the specific context.

Is it correct to say "a rarity of"?

While it's more common to say something is "a rarity", you can use "a rarity of" if you are specifying the type of thing that is rare. For example, "There is a rarity of truly original ideas in Hollywood lately".

What's the difference between "rarity" and "uniqueness"?

"Rarity" refers to how uncommon something is, while "uniqueness" refers to how different or distinct something is from others. A "rarity" might be one of few, but "uniqueness" implies it has distinct qualities. Consider using something like "distinctiveness" if you look for alternatives to uniqueness.