uncommon

Uncommon is an adjective in English that describes something that is not common: not frequent, ordinary, or typical. It is used for events, traits, objects, or occurrences that stand out because they are not widely encountered. The degree of rarity implied by uncommon can vary from mildly unusual to strikingly exceptional, depending on context.

Etymology and form: Uncommon is formed by adding the negating prefix un- to common. The prefix un- has Old English and Germanic roots and is used widely to create antonyms. The compound has been in use since the Middle English period to denote a lack of what is typically found or expected.

Usage and nuance: Uncommon is often preferred over rare when the speaker wants to emphasize not just scarcity but also relative normalcy or recognizability. It is frequently used to describe positive, notable, or curious attributes without asserting extreme rarity. Common synonyms include rare, unusual, extraordinary, and singular; antonyms include common, ordinary, and usual. In phrases, it can appear in a neutral or mildly evaluative tone, as in “an uncommon occurrence” or “an uncommon skill.”

See also: Related terms include common, rare, unusual, and extraordinary.