rarely

== English == === Etymology === From rare + -ly. === Pronunciation === enPR: râr'li (UK) IPA(key): /ˈɹɛːli/ (US) IPA(key): /ˈɹɛəɹli/ (MLE) IPA(key): /ɹɛli/ (New Zealand) IPA(key): /ɹeə.liː/ Homophone: really IPA(key): /ɹeəɹliː/ (to distinguish from really) Hyphenation: rare‧ly Rhymes: (UK) -ɛːli, (US) -ɛəɹli === Adverb === rarely (comparative rarelier or more rarely, superlative rareliest or most rarely) Not occurring at a regular interval; seldom; not often. [from 16th c.] Synonyms: see Thesaurus:rarely Unusually well; excellently. [from 16th c.] To a rare degree; very. [from 16th c.] ==== Usage notes ==== It is grammatically a negative word. It therefore collocates with ever rather than never. Compare We rarely ever go to the theatre. with We almost never go to the theatre. ==== Synonyms ==== barely hardly infrequently once in a while seldom sporadically scarcely Thesaurus:rarely ==== Antonyms ==== frequently, usually, often ==== Translations ==== === References === William Dwight Whitney, Benjamin Eli Smith, editors (1895–1910), “rarely”, in The Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia: […], New York, N.Y.: The Century Co., →OCLC. “rarely”, in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, Springfield, Mass.: G. & C. Merriam, 1913, →OCLC. === Anagrams === rearly