rarity
/ˈrɛːrɪti
/noun (plural rarities) [mass noun]
1The state or quality of being rare: the rarity of the condition...
- Anything of outstanding quality or rarity which was fresh to the market received a wildly enthusiastic welcome.
- Due to its rarity and unique coloring, the python now commands fantastic prices.
- Gemstones are minerals esteemed for their qualities of beauty, durability, and rarity.
Synonyms
infrequency, rareness, unusualness, uncommonness, singularity, uniqueness;
scarcity, scarceness, sparseness
1.1 [count noun] A rare thing, especially one having particular value: to take the morning off was a rarity...
- This latest release is a collection of B-sides, rarities, soundtrack songs and cover versions which is a must for die-hard fans.
- Both men were travellers and collectors of curiosities - or rarities, as they were called.
- You know that I have an agent who is always on the look-out for rarities and curiosities for my collection.
Synonyms
collector's item, rare person/thing, rare bird, marvel, wonder, nonpareil, one of a kind, find, conversation piece;
curiosity, oddity, anomaly, freak;
Latin rara avis
British informal one-off, oner
Origin
Late Middle English: from Latin raritas, from rarus 'far apart, infrequently found' (see rare1).