uncommon

/ʌnˈkɒmən/ (bre, ipa) · /ʌnˈkɑːmən/ (ame, ipa) · /ˌən-ˈkä-mən/ (ame, mw)

uncommon — adjective

  • uncommonpositive
  • more uncommoncomparative
  • most uncommonsuperlative

1. Something that is uncommon does not happen or appear very often, so it is not wh

1.形容詞B1
釋義

Something that is uncommon does not happen or appear very often, so it is not what you normally expect to see or experience.

例句

Snow is uncommon in southern Taiwan, so the children were thrilled to see it.

uncommon in [location]

It is uncommon for a startup to turn a profit in its first year.

it is uncommon for ... to [verb]

同義詞
  • rare

    Stronger than uncommon — suggests something hardly ever happens or exists

  • unusual

    Focuses on being different from what is normal, not just infrequent

  • infrequent

    More formal; describes low occurrence over time without implying unexpectedness

反義詞
  • common

    Happening or appearing often

  • frequent

    Happening regularly or repeatedly

文法句型

it is uncommon (for someone) to do something

uncommon + noun

be / seem / remain uncommon

用法筆記

Commonly used in the pattern 'it is uncommon (for someone) to do something' to describe situations that rarely happen. The opposite is 'common'.

常見錯誤

❌It is uncommon that he arrives early.
✅It is uncommon for him to arrive early.
💡After 'it is uncommon', English prefers 'for + object + to-infinitive' rather than a 'that' clause.

2. When a quality or ability is described as uncommon, it exists to a degree that i

2.形容詞B2
釋義

When a quality or ability is described as uncommon, it exists to a degree that is noticeably higher or stronger than what is typical — for example, someone showing uncommon patience, or a garden with uncommon beauty.

例句

Hui showed an uncommon degree of patience while teaching the children to read.

uncommon + abstract quality noun

Takeshi has an uncommon gift for playing classical music on the violin.

同義詞
  • exceptional

    Suggests something is much better or greater than average; often carries a positive tone

  • remarkable

    Highlights that something is worth noticing because it is so unusual

  • extraordinary

    Stronger than uncommon — suggests something goes far beyond what is normal

反義詞
  • ordinary

    Not special or unusual in any way

  • average

    Typical in amount or quality; not standing out

文法句型

uncommon + abstract noun (talent, beauty, patience, courage)

with uncommon + [quality]

be / seem / prove uncommon

用法筆記

Typically modifies abstract nouns describing human qualities (patience, talent, courage, calm, kindness) or aesthetic qualities (beauty, grace). In this sense, it is a stronger and more formal alternative to 'unusual'.

常見錯誤

❌That vase has an uncommon shape.
✅That vase has an unusual shape.
💡Use 'unusual' rather than 'uncommon' when describing physical appearance or design that is merely different, rather than pointing to a high degree of an abstract quality.