rarely

adverb

rare·​ly ˈrer-lē How to pronounce rarely (audio)
1
: not often : seldom
2
: with rare skill : excellently
3
: in an extreme or exceptional manner

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
As Qasem Hassan was aware, such views were rarely voiced on Israeli television. Eyal Press, New Yorker, 9 June 2025 Productivity gains rarely translate into higher wages, with only a 3-7 percent improvement in pay. Gene Marks, Forbes.com, 8 June 2025 For Black families across New York, peer-to-peer car sharing is doing what many programs promise but rarely deliver: putting money in people’s pockets and mobility within reach. Al Sharpton, New York Daily News, 8 June 2025 But rarely, long-term antidepressant use has been linked with REM sleep behavior disorder. Kristen Rogers, CNN Money, 8 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for rarely

Word History

First Known Use

1549, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of rarely was in 1549

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Cite this Entry

“Rarely.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rarely. Accessed 12 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

rarely

adverb
rare·​ly ˈra(ə)r-lē How to pronounce rarely (audio)
ˈre(ə)r-
: not often : seldom

More from Merriam-Webster on rarely

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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