Uncommon Meaning
/ʌnˈkɒmən/Definition, CEFR level B1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
Listen pronunciation
Definition
adjRare; not readily found; unusual.
adjRemarkable; exceptional.
Sentence Examples
A six-figure income is not uncommon for physicians.
Such a case is not uncommon today.
It is not all that uncommon at any rate.
CEFR Practice Quiz
Seeing double rainbows is quite ____ in this region due to the dry climate.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
It is quite ____ to see this type of bird in the region, as they usually live much further to the south today.
Word Origin & History
Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *né Proto-Indo-European *n̥- Proto-Germanic *un- Proto-West Germanic *un- Old English un- Middle English un- English un- English common English uncommon From un- + common.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"This is not an uncommon practice."
— 1946 January and February, “The Why and The Wherefore: The Forth Bridge”, in Railway Magazine, page 59:
"There’s no delicate way to put this, so we’re just going to come right out and say it – we feel that ramp meters are underappreciated. […] Yet, it’s not uncommon to see drivers totally ignore a ramp meter and drive right through its red light."
— 2014 February 5, “Ramp Meters: Unappreciated or just misunderstood?”, in Arizona Department of Transportation, archived from the original on 25 Jun 2022:
"‘Is Suffolk your county, sir?’ asked William.
‘Yes,’ I said, with some importance. ‘Suffolk’s my county.’
‘I’m told the dumplings is uncommon fine down there,’ said William."
— 1849 May – 1850 November, Charles Dickens, The Personal History of David Copperfield, London: Bradbury & Evans, […], published 1850, →OCLC:
"'The Squire's pretty springe, considering his weight,' said Mr Macey, 'and he stamps uncommon well.'"
— 1861, George Eliot, Silas Marner, London: Penguin Books, published 1967, page 159:
Explore More B1 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
Seeing double rainbows is quite ____ in this region due to the dry climate.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
It is quite ____ to see this type of bird in the region, as they usually live much further to the south today.