uncommon
/ʌn'kɔmən/
Definition
- Adjective:
- Not common or ordinarily encountered; unusual, rare: Describes something that is not frequently seen, found, or experienced; it deviates from what is typical or usual.
- Remarkable in degree, amount, or character; exceptional: Describes something that is unusually great, intense, or of a superior quality.
Usage
- As an adjective, "uncommon" modifies a noun to indicate its rarity or exceptional nature.
- It can describe both tangible things (objects, animals) and intangible qualities (abilities, traits, events).
- It is often used in formal or literary contexts but is also suitable for general use.
Examples
- Describing rarity:
- The birdwatcher was thrilled to see an uncommon species of owl in the forest.
- Snow in this coastal city is an uncommon event.
- Describing exceptional degree or quality:
- She showed uncommon courage in the face of danger.
- He has an uncommon talent for solving complex puzzles.
Advanced Usage
- "Uncommon to": Not typical or usual for a particular person, place, or thing.
- Such generosity is uncommon to his normally frugal nature.
- "Not uncommon": A double negative used to mean "fairly common" or "not unusual." This is a common rhetorical device for understatement.
- Minor delays are not uncommon on this railway line.
Variants and Related Words
- Uncommonly (adverb): To an unusual degree; remarkably.
- The day was uncommonly warm for October.
- Common (adjective): The direct antonym, meaning frequent, ordinary, or shared by many.
Synonyms
- Rare: Infrequently occurring or found. (e.g., a rare gem)
- Unusual: Not habitually or commonly occurring or done.
- Exceptional: Unusually good; standing out from others.
- Infrequent: Not occurring often; rare.
Antonyms
- Common: Occurring, found, or done often; prevalent.
- Ordinary: With no special or distinctive features; normal.
- Usual: Habitually or typically occurring or done.
Idioms and Phrases
- Uncommon sense: A play on the phrase "common sense," implying a level of wisdom or judgment that is exceptionally good or rare.
- It took uncommon sense to navigate that delicate negotiation successfully.
Adjective
-
marked by an uncommon quality; especially superlative or extreme of its kind
-
what is so rare as a day in June-J.R.Lowell
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a rare skill
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an uncommon sense of humor
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she was kind to an uncommon degree
-
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not common or ordinarily encountered; unusually great in amount or remarkable in character or kind
-
uncommon birds
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frost and floods are uncommon during these months
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doing an uncommon amount of business
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an uncommon liking for money
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he owed his greatest debt to his mother's uncommon character and ability
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