uncommon

adjective un·com·mon \ˌən-ˈkä-mən\

: not often found, seen, or experienced

: not ordinary : remarkable or exceptional

Full Definition of UNCOMMON

: not ordinarily encountered : unusual <an uncommon plant>

: remarkable, exceptional <a soldier of uncommon courage>

— un·com·mon·ly adverb

— un·com·mon·ness \-mən-nəs\ noun

See uncommon defined for English-language learners

See uncommon defined for kids

First Known Use of UNCOMMON

circa 1576

Related to UNCOMMON

Synonyms: aberrant, aberrated, abnormal, anomalous, atypical, especial, exceeding, extraordinaire, extraordinary, freak, odd, peculiar, phenomenal, preternatural, rare, singular, exceptional, uncustomary, unique, unusual, unwonted

Antonyms: common, customary, normal, ordinary, typical, unexceptional, unextraordinary, usual

Synonym Discussion of UNCOMMON

infrequent, uncommon, scarce, rare, sporadic mean not common or abundant. infrequent implies occurrence at wide intervals in space or time <infrequent family visits>. uncommon suggests a frequency below normal expectation <smallpox is now uncommon in many countries>. scarce implies falling short of a standard or required abundance <jobs were scarce during the Depression>. rare suggests extreme scarcity or infrequency and often implies consequent high value <rare first editions>. sporadic implies occurrence in scattered instances or isolated outbursts <sporadic cases of influenza>.

UNCOMMON Defined for Kids