rarely

adverb

rare·​ly ˈrer-lē 

1

: not often : seldom

2

: with rare skill : excellently

3

: in an extreme or exceptional manner

Synonyms of rarely

• seldom

Examples of rarely in a Sentence

She rarely talks about her past.

Rarely do we see this kind of weather in our area.

Only rarely is surgery necessary to treat this condition.

Recent Examples on the Web

Guests can also book bespoke wellness journeys combining spa treatments, nutrition consultations, and fitness coaching, designed to rebalance body and mind in a city that rarely slows down. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026

The disingenuous campaign ads, the obscene amount of money that is spent to air them and the promises that are rarely fulfilled are enough to make one cynical. — Cal Thomas, Arkansas Online, 6 Oct. 2026

Each episode follows one garden over an extended period, capturing animal behavior rarely witnessed by human eyes – from raising families and defending territories to hunting, courting and surviving the changing seasons. — Leo Barraclough, Variety, 5 Oct. 2026

This focuses classification resources on active, higher-value data, while rarely used information can follow simpler archival and retention policies, significantly reducing manual workload. — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 5 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1549, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing rarely

• rarely/seldom ever
• rarely/seldom if ever

Rhymes for rarely

• unfairly
• barely
• fairly
• squarely

Kids Definition

rarely

adverb

rare·​ly ˈra(ə)r-lē 

ˈre(ə)r-

: not often : seldom