What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
infrequent
Example
I visit my hometown infrequently since I moved away. [infrequently: adverb]
Example
The company has infrequent meetings to discuss important matters. [infrequent: adjective]
uncommon
Example
It's uncommon to see snow in this part of the country. [uncommon: adjective]
Example
Her talent for singing is uncommon among her peers. [uncommon: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Infrequent is more commonly used than uncommon in everyday language. Infrequent is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while uncommon is less common and is typically used to describe things or objects that are rare or unusual.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between infrequent and uncommon?
Both infrequent and uncommon are formal words that are appropriate for use in academic or professional writing.