Definitions
- Describing something that is not commonly found or seen. - Referring to a food item that is cooked for a short time, leaving the center slightly pink. - Talking about a situation or event that happens infrequently or is unusual.
- Describing something that is not frequently encountered or seen. - Referring to a trait or characteristic that is not typical or usual. - Talking about a situation or event that is not ordinary or expected.
List of Similarities
- 1Both words describe something that is not common.
- 2Both words can be used to describe traits, characteristics, or situations.
- 3Both words have negative connotations when used to describe something desirable.
What is the difference?
- 1Frequency: Rare implies something that is almost never seen or encountered, while uncommon suggests something that is not often seen but still occurs more frequently than rare.
- 2Usage: Rare is more commonly used to describe physical objects or events, while uncommon is more often used to describe traits or characteristics.
- 3Connotation: Rare has a more positive connotation when used to describe something valuable or desirable, while uncommon has a more neutral or negative connotation.
- 4Degree: Rare implies a higher degree of rarity than uncommon.
- 5Food: Rare is used to describe a specific level of doneness for meat, while uncommon is not used in this context.
Remember this!
Rare and uncommon are synonyms that describe something that is not common. However, rare implies a higher degree of rarity and is more commonly used to describe physical objects or events, while uncommon is more often used to describe traits or characteristics and has a more neutral or negative connotation.
