Rarely

Pronunciation

• UK IPA: /ˈɹɛːli/

Origin

From rare + -ly.

Full definition of rarely

Adverb

1. Not occurring at a regular interval; seldom; not often. from 16th c.We rarely go to the theatre.Rarely do you ever find an eagle this far up the river.
2. Unusually well; excellently. from 16th c.
3. To a rare degree; very. from 16th c.
• 1603, John Florio, translating Michel de Montaigne, Essays, II.32:others speake very honourably of his life and death, and in all other circumstances declare him to have beene a most excellent and rarely virtuous man.

Usage notes

It is grammatically a negative word. It therefore collocates with ever rather than never.

Compare We rarely ever go to the theatre. with We almost never go to the theatre.

Synonyms

• barely
• hardly
• infrequently
• once in a while
• seldom
• sporadically
• scarcely

Antonyms

• frequently, usually, often