uncommon
adjective
un·com·mon
ˌən-ˈkä-mən 
1
: not ordinarily encountered : unusual
an uncommon plant
2
: remarkable, exceptional
a soldier of uncommon courage
uncommonly
adverb
Synonyms
Examples of uncommon in a Sentence
It is not uncommon for people to become depressed after they retire.
an athlete with uncommon ability
a soldier of uncommon courage
She is an uncommon woman.
Recent Examples on the Web
Sugar dating and related scams are far from uncommon.
—
Sunny Nagpaul, Fortune, 23 Apr. 2024
Police said 10 mm shell casings, which are reportedly uncommon on the streets, were found at the scene of both crimes.
—Julia Gomez, USA TODAY, 22 Apr. 2024
High real estate prices are not uncommon in California’s Silicon Valley, home to tech giants like Apple, Google and Oracle.
—Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 19 Apr. 2024
Lengthy procedures like those were not uncommon, the Reprieve analysis found.
—Chiara Eisner, NPR, 18 Apr. 2024
Data have historically shown that procedures later in pregnancies are uncommon.
—Alexandra Glorioso, Miami Herald, 18 Apr. 2024
Software and other improvements to increase an EV's performance are not uncommon.
—Mark Phelan, Detroit Free Press, 16 Apr. 2024
In a rapidly growing city such as Phoenix, residents and visitors encountering cranes among the skyline is not uncommon, but for how long is the question.
—Kayla Jackson, The Arizona Republic, 15 Apr. 2024
Her public school classmates' taunts weren't uncommon.
—David Oliver, USA TODAY, 9 Apr. 2024
Sunny Nagpaul, Fortune, 23 Apr. 2024
Police said 10 mm shell casings, which are reportedly uncommon on the streets, were found at the scene of both crimes.
—Julia Gomez, USA TODAY, 22 Apr. 2024
High real estate prices are not uncommon in California’s Silicon Valley, home to tech giants like Apple, Google and Oracle.
—Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 19 Apr. 2024
Lengthy procedures like those were not uncommon, the Reprieve analysis found.
—Chiara Eisner, NPR, 18 Apr. 2024
Data have historically shown that procedures later in pregnancies are uncommon.
—Alexandra Glorioso, Miami Herald, 18 Apr. 2024
Software and other improvements to increase an EV's performance are not uncommon.
—Mark Phelan, Detroit Free Press, 16 Apr. 2024
In a rapidly growing city such as Phoenix, residents and visitors encountering cranes among the skyline is not uncommon, but for how long is the question.
—Kayla Jackson, The Arizona Republic, 15 Apr. 2024
Her public school classmates' taunts weren't uncommon.
—David Oliver, USA TODAY, 9 Apr. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'uncommon.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near uncommon
Cite this Entry
“Uncommon.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/uncommon. Accessed 27 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
uncommon
adjective
un·com·mon
ˌən-ˈkäm-ən
ˈən-
1
: not ordinarily found or experienced : unusual
not uncommon to catch a cold
2
: extraordinary, remarkable, exceptional
has uncommon ability
uncommonly
adverb
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share