Word
uncommon
Phoneticsun·com·mon, stress on the second syllable
US/ənˈkɑmən/
UK/ʌnkˈɒmən/
Definitions
01rare or unusual
B1 · Intermediate
adj. not happening often or not found in many places.
adj. occurring or found infrequently; not common or ordinary.
“It is uncommon to see snow in this part of the country during October.”
“The botanist noted that while the flower was once widespread, it has become increasingly uncommon due to habitat loss and climate shifts.”
02exceptional
B2 · Upper Intermediate
adj. much better or greater than what is normal.
adj. remarkable or exceptional in quality, degree, or character.
Español:insólito
“The young pianist showed uncommon talent for someone her age.”
“The diplomat was praised for his uncommon patience during the long and difficult negotiations between the two nations.”
Synonyms
03very or exceedingly
C2 · Proficiency Dialect · British English · Archaic
adv. used to mean 'very' or 'extremely' in some local ways of speaking.
adv. functioning as an intensifier meaning exceedingly or exceptionally. Used as a flat adverb in specific regional dialects.
“The weather turned uncommon cold for a summer evening.”
“He was an uncommon handsome man, though his gruff manner often discouraged people from approaching him.”
Usage
As a flat adverb, it modifies an adjective directly without the '-ly' suffix.
Teaching tip
This adverbial use is mostly found in 19th-century literature or specific rural British dialects; students should use 'uncommonly' in modern standard English.
Synonyms
Etymology
From un- + common.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- 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
- Frequent
- Level
- B1 · Intermediate
- Updated
- アルファベット
- 読み方の一覧 →
QR code
englishreference.com/q/uncommon
Traducciones: Kaikki.org (Wiktionary), CC BY-SA 4.0