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📕 rednote ID(小红书号)：3881567312

Rare: Meanings, Examples, and Usage (2 meaning)

Meaning 1：uncommon (Rare)

Rare 🔊

/rɛr/

adj.

Not common or often seen; very unusual.

uncommon 🔊

➕

/ʌnˈkɑːmən/

adj.

Something that is not frequently encountered or found; exceptional.

📁 Category：Technological Inventions 🔖 Level：Beginner

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Latin 'rārus' meaning thin, sparse, unusual.

💡 Mnemonic

Think of a rare steak: uncommon and pink inside. Both meanings involve scarcity.

📖 Example

My phone has a rare camera feature that takes photos at night without a flash. 🔊 My phone has a rare camera feature that takes photos at night without a flash.

🔗 Collocations

rare occurrence – An event that happens infrequently

rare species – A species with a small population or limited habitat

rare opportunity – A chance that is not often available

🔄 Synonyms

uncommon (adj.) – Not occurring often; infrequent

unusual (adj.) – Different from what is typical or expected

scarce (adj.) – In short supply; insufficient

🚫 Antonyms

common (adj.) – Occurring or appearing frequently

frequent (adj.) – Happening often

ordinary (adj.) – Without special features; usual

🌱 Derivatives

rarity (n.) – Something that is uncommon or valuable

rarely (adv.) – Not often; seldom

📖 Cultural Story

Originally used for meat in the 18th century, 'rare' comes from Old English 'hrēr' meaning lightly cooked. Today it's a standard steak doneness term.

Meaning 2：lightly cooked (Rare)

Rare 🔊

/rɛr/

adj.

Used for meat, especially steak, that is cooked for a short time so the inside is still red.

lightly cooked 🔊

➕

/ˈlaɪtli kʊkt/

adj.

Describes meat, especially beef, that has been cooked briefly leaving the inside red and juicy.

📁 Category：Diet & Health 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Example

I like my steak cooked rare because it stays more tender and juicy. 🔊 I like my steak cooked rare because it stays more tender and juicy.

🔗 Collocations

rare steak – A steak cooked so the inside remains red and cool

cook rare – To prepare meat with minimal heat, preserving a raw interior

serve rare – To present meat that has been lightly cooked

🔄 Synonyms

undercooked (adj.) – Cooked for less time than standard, often leaving a pink interior

seared (adj.) – Browned quickly on the outside while the inside remains raw

barely cooked (adj.) – Given very brief heat exposure, resulting in a rare doneness

🚫 Antonyms

well-done (adj.) – Cooked thoroughly, with no pink remaining inside

overcooked (adj.) – Cooked too long, resulting in dry or tough meat