# uncommon

/ənˈkɑmən/ (US) · /ʌnkˈɒmən/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/uncommon
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. rare or unusual

adjective · CEFR B1

not happening often or not found in many places.

For teachers: 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.

### 2. exceptional

adjective · CEFR B2

much better or greater than what is normal.

For teachers: remarkable or exceptional in quality, degree, or character.

- 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.

### 3. very or exceedingly

adverb · CEFR C2 · Dialect · British English · Archaic

used to mean 'very' or 'extremely' in some local ways of speaking.

For teachers: 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.

## Examples

- It is uncommon to see snow in this part of the country.
- The doctor noted that such a reaction to the medicine is uncommon but not dangerous.
- While the species was once widespread, it has become increasingly uncommon due to the fragmentation of its natural habitat and the introduction of invasive predators.

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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.