Seldom: meaning, definitions and examples

Used to describe things that happen infrequently but occasionally, often used in a formal or literary context.

• He seldom visits his hometown anymore
• Seldom have I seen such dedication in a team

Used to describe something that does not happen often, can be used in both formal and informal contexts.

• He rarely eats out
• Accidents rarely occur on this road

Used to describe something that happens rarely and sporadically, usually in a formal context.

• Meetings are held infrequently due to the busy schedule
• The train service is infrequently interrupted

Used to emphasize how rare an event or action is, often in a conversational or informal context.

• She hardly ever goes out on weekends
• They hardly ever clean their room

Used to describe something that does not happen often.

• She seldom goes out after dark
• It is seldom that they meet up for a long chat

Often refers to something that is infrequent or valuable due to its infrequency.

• It's rare to see a white peacock in the wild
• This is a rare opportunity to work with a famous scientist

Refers to something that is unusual or not regularly encountered.

• It's uncommon to see such bravery at a young age
• Finding a pearl in an oyster is uncommon

Implies a shortage or insufficient supply of something, often used in economic contexts.

• Water is scarce in many desert regions
• During the war, food became scarce