uncommon

[uhn-kom-uhn]

adjective

uncommoner, uncommonest 

1. not common; unusual; rare.

   an uncommon word.

   Synonyms: queer, peculiar, strange, singular, odd, infrequent, scarce

2. unusual in amount or degree; above the ordinary.

   an uncommon amount of mail.

   Synonyms: extraordinary

3. exceptional; remarkable.

   Synonyms: outstanding

uncommon

/ ʌnˈkɒmən /

adjective

1. outside or beyond normal experience, conditions, etc; unusual

2. in excess of what is normal

   an uncommon liking for honey

adverb

1. an archaic word for uncommonly

Other Word Forms

• uncommonness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of uncommon¹

First recorded in 1540–50; un- ¹ + common

Example Sentences

Historically, dying from a shark bite is uncommon.

From BBC

I wish I could say this extreme level of disorder and violence is uncommon, but people kill themselves and each other every day because of relationship fixation and obsession.

From Los Angeles Times

A surge of monsoonal moisture, not uncommon during summer months, moved into the state from the southwest desert region early Tuesday, bringing lightning across much of California.

From Los Angeles Times

But migration is not uncommon, especially among members of families who ended up on different sides of the border when India was partitioned and Pakistan was created in 1947.

From BBC

Experiencing periods of warmer weather in September is not uncommon.

From BBC

Related Words

• abnormal 
• bizarre 
• egregious 
• exceptional 
• extraordinary 
• infrequent 
• noteworthy 
• odd 
• peculiar 
• rare 
• remarkable 
• singular 
• startling 
• strange 
• surprising 
• unique 
• unusual