uncommon

adjective

un·​com·​mon ˌən-ˈkä-mən How to pronounce uncommon (audio)
1
: not ordinarily encountered : unusual
an uncommon plant
2
: remarkable, exceptional
a soldier of uncommon courage
uncommonly adverb
uncommonness noun
Choose the Right Synonym for 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

Examples of uncommon in a Sentence

It is not uncommon for people to become depressed after they retire. an athlete with uncommon ability a soldier of uncommon courage She is an uncommon woman.
Recent Examples on the Web Wild Atlantic Music Tours is a travel company that provides the uncommon experience of exploring Ireland with star musicians leading the way, quite literally on the same bus with tourists. Lori Nickel, Journal Sentinel, 7 Mar. 2024 Coleman features a combination of size (6-3, 213), strength and speed uncommon in receivers. Eddie Brown, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Mar. 2024 But prior to that vote Democrats across the hall in the Senate chamber largely opposed the bill, an uncommon occurrence. Brittany Carloni, The Indianapolis Star, 6 Mar. 2024 The company offers a bespoke program to accommodate uncommon head shapes or sizes. Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 3 Mar. 2024 Like an uncommon desert super bloom, the return of Lake Manly serves as a powerful declaration: Death Valley is alive. Reis Thebault, Washington Post, 1 Mar. 2024 Trending on Billboard But horses in Latin concerts are not that uncommon. Griselda Flores, Billboard, 28 Feb. 2024 This semester, the school offers a course focusing on costume crafts (including items such as shoes, hats, jewelry and working with uncommon materials such as thermoplastics and urethane resin). Cathy Whitlock, The Hollywood Reporter, 24 Feb. 2024 But the social media bill is one in a growing number of examples in which Republican lawmakers have taken votes that are in conflict with DeSantis’ wishes — a dynamic that in recent years was uncommon to see as the governor was ascending on the national political stage. Ana Ceballos, Miami Herald, 23 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'uncommon.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1576, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of uncommon was circa 1576

Dictionary Entries Near uncommon

Cite this Entry

“Uncommon.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/uncommon. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

uncommon

adjective
un·​com·​mon ˌən-ˈkäm-ən How to pronounce uncommon (audio)
ˈən-
1
: not ordinarily found or experienced : unusual
not uncommon to catch a cold
2
: extraordinary, remarkable, exceptional
has uncommon ability
uncommonly adverb
uncommonness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on uncommon

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