# rarity

/ˈɹɛɹəti/ (US) · /ɹˈeəɹətˌi/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/rarity
Updated: 2026-08-08

## Senses

### 1. the state of being scarce

noun · CEFR B2

the quality of being very unusual or hard to find.

For teachers: the quality or state of being rare; infrequency of occurrence or scarcity of supply.

- The rarity of this disease makes it very difficult for doctors to study.
- The extreme rarity of the mineral in this region has driven its market price to unprecedented levels.

Usage: Often used with the definite article 'the' followed by 'of'.

### 2. a rare object

noun · CEFR B2

a person or thing that is very unusual and therefore often valuable.

For teachers: a person or thing that is particularly unusual, uncommon, or valuable due to its scarcity.

- In today's world, a politician who admits their mistakes is a real rarity.
- The collector spent decades searching for this specific stamp, which remains a legendary rarity among philatelists.

Usage: Typically used as a countable noun with 'a' or 'an'.

### 3. low density

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

the state of being thin or not dense, like the air high up on a mountain.

For teachers: the property of having low density or being thin in consistency; the opposite of density.

- The rarity of the air at high altitudes makes it hard for climbers to breathe.
- The experiment required a vacuum to test how the rarity of the medium affected the speed of the particles.

Usage: Primarily used in scientific or formal contexts to describe gases or atmospheres.

## Examples

- Snow in this part of the country is a real rarity.
- Genuine first editions of this novel are a rarity and often sell for thousands of dollars at auction.
- The scientist noted that while the mineral is common in volcanic regions, its presence in sedimentary rock is a geological rarity that warrants further investigation.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.