Rare vs. Unique: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 25, 2023
"Rare" refers to something uncommon or infrequently occurring, while "unique" means being the only one of its kind, without any exact equal.
Key Differences
"Rare" describes something that is not common or is encountered infrequently. It's used to denote scarcity or limited occurrence. Conversely, "unique" is used to describe something singular and unparalleled, without any identical counterpart. While a rare item can have others like it, albeit in small numbers, a unique item stands alone in its characteristics.
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The term "rare" can be used in various contexts, like rare diseases, which are infrequently observed in the general population, or rare collectibles, which are scarce but not necessarily singular. "Unique," however, is reserved for items or situations where no exact duplicate exists, like a unique fingerprint or a unique historical event.
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In terms of gradation, "rare" can exist on a spectrum – something can be relatively more or less rare. "Unique," on the other hand, is absolute; something cannot be "very unique" or "somewhat unique" as it denotes a one-of-a-kind quality.
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The word "rare" often implies value due to scarcity, like rare gems or rare opportunities. "Unique," however, implies distinctiveness and individuality, which can be valuable but is more focused on singularity than scarcity.
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In summary, while "rare" and "unique" both convey a sense of uncommonness, "rare" speaks to limited availability, and "unique" to unmatched singularity. Understanding this distinction helps in accurately describing the rarity or uniqueness of an object or situation.
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Comparison Chart
Number of Similar Items
Can have others like it in small numbers.
Has no identical counterparts.
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Context of Use
Scarcity, limited occurrence.
Singularity, unparalleled uniqueness.
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Degree of Rarity
Can exist on a spectrum of rarity.
Absolute, cannot be graded.
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Implication
Often implies value due to scarcity.
Implies distinctiveness and individuality.
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Rare and Unique Definitions
Unique
Without an equal or equivalent; unparalleled.
The architectural design of the building is unique in the city.
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Rare
Infrequently occurring or found.
A rare blood type can make transfusions more complicated.
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Unique
Singular in characteristics.
Her voice has a unique quality that sets her apart from other singers.
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Rare
Exceptional quality or ability.
Her rare understanding of quantum physics amazed her professors.
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Unique
Exclusive to a particular individual or thing.
Each person's DNA is unique to them.
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Rare
Unusually good or remarkable.
His talent for music is rare among his peers.
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Unique
Being the only one of its kind
The unique existing example of Donne's handwriting.
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Rare
Infrequently occurring; uncommon
A rare event.
A plant that is rare in this region.
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Unique
Characteristic only of a particular category or entity
A weather pattern that is unique to coastal areas.
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Unique
(uncomparable) Being the only one of its kind; unequaled, unparalleled or unmatched.
Every person has a unique life, therefore every person has a unique journey.
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Rare
Cooked just a short time so as to retain juice and redness
A rare steak.
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Rare
Very uncommon; scarce.
Black pearls are very rare and therefore very valuable.
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Unique
A thing without a like; something unequalled or unparallelled; one of a kind.
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Rare
(cooking) Particularly of meat, especially beefsteak: cooked very lightly, so the meat is still red.
Well done
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Unique
Being without a like or equal; unmatched; unequaled; unparalleled; single in kind or excellence; sole.
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Unique
A thing without a like; something unequaled or unparalleled.
The phenix, the unique pf birds.
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Unique
Radically distinctive and without equal;
He is alone in the field of microbiology
This theory is altogether alone in its penetration of the problem
Bach was unique in his handling of counterpoint
Craftsmen whose skill is unequaled
Unparalleled athletic ability
A breakdown of law unparalleled in our history
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Unique
(followed by `to') applying exclusively to a given category or condition or locality;
A species unique to Australia
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Unique
The single one of its kind;
A singular example
The unique existing example of Donne's handwriting
A unique copy of an ancient manuscript
Certain types of problems have unique solutions
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Unique
Highly unusual or rare but not the single instance;
Spoke with a unique accent
Had unique ability in raising funds
A frankness unique in literature
A unique dining experience
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Rare
Nearly raw; partially cooked; not thoroughly cooked; underdone; as, rare beef or mutton.
New-laid eggs, which Baucis' busy careTurned by a gentle fire, and roasted rare.
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Unique
Being the only one of its kind.
She owns a unique piece of artwork that no one else has.
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Rare
Not frequent; seldom met with or occurring; unusual; as, a rare event.
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Unique
Particularly remarkable, special, or unusual.
His unique perspective on politics always sparks interesting debates.
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Rare
Of an uncommon nature; unusually excellent; valuable to a degree seldom found.
Rare work, all filled with terror and delight.
Above the rest I judge one beauty rare.
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Rare
Characterized by wide separation of parts; of loose texture; not thick or dense; thin; as, a rare atmosphere at high elevations.
Water is nineteen times lighter, and by consequence nineteen times rarer, than gold.
A perfect union of wit and judgment is one of the rarest things in the world.
When any particular piece of money grew very scarce, it was often recoined by a succeeding emperor.
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Rare
Not widely known; especially valued for its uncommonness;
A rare word
Rare books
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Rare
Recurring only at long intervals;
A rare appearance
Total eclipses are rare events
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Rare
Marked by an uncommon quality; especially superlative or extreme of its kind;
What is so rare as a day in June
A rare skill
An uncommon sense of humor
She was kind to an uncommon degree
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Rare
Having low density;
Rare gasses
Lightheaded from the rarefied mountain air
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Rare
Seldom found or experienced.
A rare sighting of a blue whale excited the researchers.
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Repeatedly Asked Queries
Is "unique" an absolute term?
Yes, "unique" means being the only one of its kind.
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Is rarity always about physical objects?
No, it can refer to events, opportunities, or qualities.
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Can "rare" refer to how often something occurs?
Yes, it often describes infrequent occurrences.
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Does "unique" always imply positive qualities?
Not necessarily; it means singular, which can be neutral.
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Is a rare item always hard to find?
Typically, yes, due to its infrequency.
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Can something rare also be unique?
Yes, but while all unique things are rare, not all rare things are unique.
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Can "unique" be used to describe people?
Yes, it can describe individuals with unparalleled qualities.
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Can something become less unique over time?
No, uniqueness is a constant state of being the only one of its kind.
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Can "unique" refer to experiences?
Yes, it can describe one-of-a-kind experiences.
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Is "rare" used in cooking?
Yes, particularly to describe the doneness of meat.
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Does "unique" apply to ideas?
Absolutely, it can refer to singular thoughts or concepts.
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Can "unique" be used in art and culture?
Yes, often to describe one-of-a-kind artistic creations or cultural phenomena.
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Is "unique" a subjective term?
It can be, depending on context, but it primarily denotes objective singularity.
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Can "rare" be used in a medical context?
Yes, for conditions or diseases that are infrequently seen.
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Is "rare" the same as "scarce"?
Similar, but "scarce" implies even less availability than "rare."
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Can "rare" describe talents or skills?
Yes, it can refer to uncommon abilities.
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Can two things be identical yet unique?
No, uniqueness means there are no identical counterparts.
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About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
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