rare

Definition

If something is rare, it does not happen often or there are not many of it. It can also describe meat that is cooked only lightly, so the inside is still red.

Usage & Nuances

Most commonly, 'rare' means uncommon: 'a rare disease', 'a rare opportunity'. It is more natural than 'strange' for low frequency; don't confuse them. For food, it is mainly used for steak: 'medium-rare' is very common, while 'rare chicken' would sound wrong because chicken must be fully cooked.

Example Sentences