- coming or occurring far apart in time; unusual; uncommon: a rare disease;His visits are rare occasions.
- thinly distributed over an area; few and widely separated: Lighthouses are rare on that part of the coast.
- having the component parts not closely compacted together; not dense: rare gases;lightheaded from the rare mountain air.
- unusually great: a rare display of courage.
- unusually excellent; admirable; fine: She showed rare tact in inviting them.
- (of meat) cooked just slightly: He likes his steak rare.
- not widely known; not frequently used or experienced; uncommon or unusual
- occurring seldom
- not widely distributed; not generally occurring
- (of a gas, esp the atmosphere at high altitudes) having a low density; thin; rarefied
- uncommonly great; extreme
- exhibiting uncommon excellence; superlatively good or fine
- highly valued because of its uncommonness
- (of meat, esp beef) very lightly cooked
