uncommon - Wiktionary, the free dictionary (original) (raw)

From Wiktionary, the free dictionary

Proto-Indo-European *né

Proto-Indo-European *n̥-

Proto-Germanic *un-

Proto-West Germanic *un-

Old English un-

Middle English un-

English uncommon

From un- + common.

uncommon (comparative more uncommon or uncommoner, superlative most uncommon or uncommonest)

  1. Rare; not readily found; unusual. (clarification of this definition is needed (uncommon > rare > very uncommon))
    Bald eagles are an uncommon sighting in this state.
    • 1946 January and February, “The Why and The Wherefore: The Forth Bridge”, in Railway Magazine, page 59:
      This is not an uncommon practice.
    • 2014 February 5, “Ramp Meters: Unappreciated or just misunderstood?”, in Arizona Department of Transportation‎[1], archived from the original on 25 June 2022:
      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.
  2. Remarkable; exceptional.
    The diamond was of uncommon size

uncommon (not comparable)

  1. (archaic, UK, dialect) Exceedingly, exceptionally.
    • 1849 May – 1850 November, Charles Dickens, The Personal History of David Copperfield, London: Bradbury & Evans, […], published 1850, →OCLC:
      ‘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.
    • 1861, George Eliot, Silas Marner, London: Penguin Books, published 1967, page 159:
      'The Squire's pretty springe, considering his weight,' said Mr Macey, 'and he stamps uncommon well.'

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