Meaning & use
rarely seen
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Meaning
adjectivebefore a noun
Not often found or noticed; appearing only occasionally.
Grammar: Used before a noun: a rarely seen species. It can also follow a linking verb: The bird is rarely seen here.
Patterns
- a rarely seen something
- be rarely seen
The snow leopard is a rarely seen animal that lives high in the mountains.
This old coin is rarely seen outside museums.
Such kindness is rarely seen in everyday life.
Common combinations
- rarely seen species
- The rarely seen species was finally photographed by a wildlife team.
- rarely seen in public
- After the scandal, the singer was rarely seen in public.
- a rarely seen sight
- A comet is a rarely seen sight in the night sky.
- rarely seen these days
- Handwritten letters are rarely seen these days.
Synonyms and how they differ
- uncommon
- Used for things that do not happen or exist often; 'rarely seen' is more specific about being noticed or visible.
- scarce
- Used for things that are hard to find because there are not many; 'rarely seen' focuses on how often people see it.
- seldom seen
- Almost the same meaning, but 'seldom seen' sounds a little more formal or literary.
Opposites
Word family
Commonly confused: rarely seen or rarely?
rarely seen vs rarely
Do not confuse the adverb 'rarely' with the phrase 'rarely seen'. 'Rarely' means 'not often' and usually goes before a verb: She rarely eats meat.
Practice
Choose the correct sentence.
Choose one answer.
'Rarely seen' is a passive phrase, so the verb 'be' is needed: The bird is rarely seen. Option 2 uses an active -ing form, which does not fit. Option 3 is missing the verb 'is'. Option 4 places 'rarely' awkwardly after 'seen'.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “rarely seen”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.