uncommon

uncommon — adjective

1. Something that is uncommon does not happen or appear very often, so it is not wh

1.adjectiveB1
Definition

Something that is uncommon does not happen or appear very often, so it is not what you normally expect to see or experience.

Example

Snow is uncommon in southern Taiwan, so the children were thrilled to see it.

uncommon in [location]

It is uncommon for a startup to turn a profit in its first year.

it is uncommon for ... to [verb]

Common collocations
  • relatively uncommon
  • increasingly uncommon
  • quite uncommon
  • uncommon in
  • uncommon among
  • uncommon for
  • uncommon sight
  • uncommon event
  • uncommon occurrence
Synonyms
  • rare

    Stronger than uncommon — suggests something hardly ever happens or exists

  • unusual

    Focuses on being different from what is normal, not just infrequent

  • infrequent

    More formal; describes low occurrence over time without implying unexpectedness

Antonyms
  • common

    Happening or appearing often

  • frequent

    Happening regularly or repeatedly

Grammar Patterns

it is uncommon (for someone) to do something

uncommon + noun

be / seem / remain uncommon

Usage Note

Commonly used in the pattern 'it is uncommon (for someone) to do something' to describe situations that rarely happen. The opposite is 'common'.

Common Mistakes

It is uncommon that he arrives early.
It is uncommon for him to arrive early.
After 'it is uncommon', English prefers 'for + object + to-infinitive' rather than a 'that' clause.

2. When a quality or ability is described as uncommon, it exists to a degree that i

2.adjectiveB2
Definition

When a quality or ability is described as uncommon, it exists to a degree that is noticeably higher or stronger than what is typical — for example, someone showing uncommon patience, or a garden with uncommon beauty.

Example

Hui showed an uncommon degree of patience while teaching the children to read.

uncommon + abstract quality noun

Takeshi has an uncommon gift for playing classical music on the violin.

Common collocations
  • quite uncommon
  • truly uncommon
  • most uncommon
  • uncommon talent
  • uncommon ability
  • uncommon courage
  • uncommon beauty
  • uncommon patience
  • uncommon kindness
Synonyms
  • exceptional

    Suggests something is much better or greater than average; often carries a positive tone

  • remarkable

    Highlights that something is worth noticing because it is so unusual

  • extraordinary

    Stronger than uncommon — suggests something goes far beyond what is normal

Antonyms
  • ordinary

    Not special or unusual in any way

  • average

    Typical in amount or quality; not standing out

Grammar Patterns

uncommon + abstract noun (talent, beauty, patience, courage)

with uncommon + [quality]

be / seem / prove uncommon

Usage Note

Typically modifies abstract nouns describing human qualities (patience, talent, courage, calm, kindness) or aesthetic qualities (beauty, grace). In this sense, it is a stronger and more formal alternative to 'unusual'.

Common Mistakes

That vase has an uncommon shape.
That vase has an unusual shape.
Use 'unusual' rather than 'uncommon' when describing physical appearance or design that is merely different, rather than pointing to a high degree of an abstract quality.

Word family

  • uncommonly
    adverbB2
  • uncommonness
    nounC1

Synonym discussion

Sense: adjective/1

All four words describe something that does not happen or appear often, but they differ in nuance. 'Rare' is the strongest and most direct — it suggests something is exceptionally difficult to find or encounter, such as a rare disease or a rare bird sighting. 'Unusual' focuses on being different from what is normal or expected, not just low frequency (unusual design, unusual weather for July). 'Scarce' applies specifically to a limited supply of something typically available, like scarce resources or scarce job opportunities. 'Infrequent' is a more formal, precise term that describes low occurrence over time, such as infrequent visits or infrequent rain. For example: 'Snow is uncommon here' suggests it simply does not happen often; 'Snow is rare here' implies it almost never occurs, while 'Snow is unusual in March' highlights that it is unexpected for that time of year.

rare ↗unusual ↗scarce ↗infrequent

Common collocations

Adverbs

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

Uncommon was formed in English by adding the prefix 'un-' (meaning 'not') to 'common,' which entered English through French from the Latin 'communis', meaning 'shared by all' or 'general.' The word has been in use since the 1500s. The second sense (remarkable quality) developed naturally from the idea that something rarely seen or encountered stands out and is therefore considered exceptional.