Word
rarely
US/ˈɹɛɹɫi/
UK/ɹˈeəli/
Adverb of frequency
Definitions
01not often
B1 · Intermediate
adv. not often; almost never.
adv. occurring at a low frequency or on very few occasions.
日本語:滅多に※
“We rarely go out for dinner because we both enjoy cooking at home.”
“In this part of the country, it rarely snows enough to cause any significant disruption to the morning commute.”
Usage
Typically placed before the main verb but after the verb 'to be'.
Pitfall
I rarely don't go to the gym.
I rarely go to the gym.
Rarely already has a negative meaning. Do not use another negative word like 'not' or 'don't' with it.
Synonyms
Antonyms
02exceptionally
C2 · Proficiency Literary · Archaic
adv. to a very high degree; unusually well.
adv. to an exceptional or unusual degree; used to emphasize a quality.
“The garden was rarely beautiful in the soft light of the morning.”
“She possessed a rarely gifted voice that captured the attention of every critic in the opera house that evening.”
Usage
Often used to modify adjectives describing beauty or talent.
Synonyms
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “rarely” in context.
Verb
01. rarely occur
“Serious side effects from this medicine are known to rarely occur.”
adv + verb
02. rarely seen
Etymology
From rare + -ly.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
ADVERB
Related words
Grammar
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B1 PreliminaryIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.4.0–5.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 3.0–3.544–71TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.550–784
- Frequency
- Common
- Level
- B1 · IntermediateOxford
- Updated
- アルファベット
- 読み方の一覧 →
QR code
englishreference.com/q/rarely
※ 機械で選んだ訳語です。ネイティブスピーカーによる確認はまだです。
「日本語」 data: JMdict (EDRDG), CC BY-SA 4.0