What is rare? Pronunciation and usage in English

rare means . Learn how to pronounce and use rare through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of rare

rareadjective

/rɛː/
Definition & pronunciation of rare

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "rare." It's a tricky one for many English learners! Here's a breakdown:

The most common and generally accepted pronunciation is:

  • /rɛər/ (rhymes with "hair" or "dare")

Let's break it down further:

  • "re": This sounds like the "re" in "red" or "here."
  • "ar": This is the tricky part. It's pronounced with your tongue lightly touching the roof of your mouth behind your teeth. It’s a short, quick "ah" sound (like in "father") but more relaxed. It's not a long "a" sound like in "car." Think of it as a very closed vowel sound.

Here's a helpful way to think about it:

Imagine you're saying “hair” and then quickly shortening the “a” sound to a very brief “ah.”

Resources to hear it:

Common Mistakes and Why They Sound Wrong:

  • Saying "rayr": This is a very common mistake. It’s close but the vowel sound is wrong.
  • Saying "rare" with a longer "a" sound: (like "car") The "a" in "rare" is very short and almost like a "schwa" sound (the neutral vowel sound, like in "about").

To practice, say it slowly and focus on that brief, relaxed "ah" sound in the middle. Good luck!

Do you want me to:

  • Repeat the pronunciation?
  • Give you another word that uses the same "ar" sound?

Usage and examples with the word rare in English

Let's break down how to use the word "rare" effectively in English. It's a versatile word with a few different meanings, so understanding those nuances is key.

1. As an Adjective – Meaning Uncommon or Scarce

This is the most common usage of "rare." It describes something that doesn't happen often, is not easily found, or is in limited supply.

  • Examples:
    • "A rare orchid bloomed in the greenhouse." (The orchid is uncommon.)
    • "He owns a rare stamp collection." (The collection is valuable and not easily found.)
    • "It's rare to see a blue whale." (Blue whales are infrequently sighted.)
    • "They found a rare book in the attic." (The book is unusual and hard to come by.)
    • "A rare opportunity presented itself." (A unique and unlikely chance.)

2. As an Adjective – Meaning Delicate or Fragile

“Rare” can also describe something that’s easily damaged or needs careful handling. This usage is a bit older and less common now.

  • Examples:
    • "She has rare hands – she can repair delicate instruments." (Her hands are skilled at handling fragile things.)
    • "The wine is rare and needs to be served at a cool temperature." (It’s delicate and needs special care.)

3. As an Adjective – Meaning Exceptional or Notable

Sometimes "rare" is used to describe something truly excellent or unusual in a positive way. This often implies a high degree of quality.

  • Examples:
    • “He’s a rare talent.” (He’s exceptionally gifted.)
    • "She’s a rare breed of diplomat – honest and effective." (She’s exceptional and stands out.)

4. As an Adverb – Meaning Infrequently (Less Common Usage)

Less frequently, "rarely" is used as an adverb, meaning not often. It's similar to "seldom."

  • Example:
    • "I rarely go to the theater." (I don't frequently go to the theater.)

Here's a breakdown of how to choose the right meaning:

Meaning Context Example
Uncommon/Scarce Describing objects, experiences, sightings A rare bird sighting on migration.
Delicate/Fragile Describing things needing care A rare antique needing special preservation.
Exceptional/Notable Describing people, qualities, skills A rare display of courage in the face of fear.
Infrequently (as adverb) Expressing how often something happens Rarely do we see such kindness.

Tips for Using "Rare" Effectively:

  • Context is key: The surrounding words will usually make it clear which meaning of "rare" is intended.
  • Don't overuse it: “Rare” is a somewhat emphatic word. Overusing it can make your writing sound repetitive or exaggerated.
  • Consider alternatives: Depending on the meaning you want to convey, words like "uncommon," "scarce," "exceptional," "unique," "special," or "delicate" might be a better fit.

To help me give you even more targeted advice, could you tell me:

  • What are you trying to write or say when you want to use the word "rare"? (e.g., a description, an opinion, a story?)

Synonyms for the word rare

Practice with vocabulary rare

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. Finding a truly unbiased news source is increasingly _______ in today's media landscape.
  2. Water resources can become _______ in arid regions, leading to significant social and economic challenges.
  3. The project's timeline was exceptionally _______, requiring all team members to work extended hours and meet tight deadlines.
  4. Such a high level of unanimous agreement on complex policy issues is incredibly _______ among political parties.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. Which of the following describes something that is not often found, seen, or happening? a) common b) frequent c) rare d) abundant

  2. Select the words that best complete the sentence: "Opportunities for significant professional advancement in a highly specialized niche field can be quite _______." a) plentiful b) abundant c) scarce d) rare

  3. In the context of market analysis, which term would describe an occurrence of a particular economic anomaly that happens very seldom? a) typical b) frequent c) exceptional d) rare

  4. Which word best describes something that is the only one of its kind or has no equal, emphasizing its distinctiveness rather than its infrequency? a) common b) peculiar c) unique d) typical

  5. Which term is most appropriate for events that happen at long intervals or are not regular? a) common b) regular c) constant d) infrequent e) usual

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. It is not often that we encounter such groundbreaking research in this particular scientific discipline. Rewrite the sentence using "rare" or a related word form.

  2. The company's CEO makes public appearances only on very few occasions, primarily at major shareholder meetings. Rewrite the sentence using "rare" or a related word form.

  3. Finding well-preserved ancient artifacts of this specific type and age is extremely difficult for archaeologists. Rewrite the sentence using a suitable replacement word, but do not use "rare" or its forms.

Answer:

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. rare
  2. scarce
  3. demanding
  4. rare

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. c) rare
  2. c) scarce, d) rare
  3. d) rare
  4. c) unique
  5. d) infrequent

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. Such groundbreaking research is a rare find in this particular scientific discipline.
  2. Public appearances by the company's CEO are exceptionally rare, occurring primarily at major shareholder meetings.
  3. Well-preserved ancient artifacts of this specific type and age are remarkably uncommon for archaeologists to find.

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