seldom

If something happens seldom, it does not happen very often. Think of seeing a shooting star: it is beautiful, but most people do not see one very often. The word points to something uncommon or infrequent. It is close in meaning to "rarely," but seldom can sound a little more formal. It often suggests that when something does happen, it stands out because it is not part of everyday life. An old-fashioned storyteller might say that knights in shining armor seldom visit these days.

The word seldom describes something that occurs infrequently or not often. It is slightly more formal than "rarely," suggesting an event is genuinely unusual and stands apart from the normal routine. Imagine a lighthouse keeper living on a remote island; they might seldom receive visitors, perhaps seeing a fresh face only once or twice a year.

Historically, seldom stems from Old English roots that mean "strange" or "rare," hinting at the exceptional nature of an occurrence. It is frequently used to describe habits, occurrences, or opportunities that are far from common. For example, saying "He seldom eats meat" suggests a consistent, deliberate dietary choice. Similarly, the phrase "Opportunities like this seldom come around" emphasizes how rare and valuable the chance is.

In a sentence, you will usually find seldom placed before the main verb—though it follows the verb "to be." We might say, "We seldom see our cousins anymore," or "Rain seldom falls in the desert." Using this word adds a layer of thoughtfulness to your speech or writing, highlighting the low frequency of an action.

So, if an event happens only on occasion and lacks a regular pattern, you can say it happens seldom. It is a word that draws attention to the rarity of a moment, reminding us to appreciate those experiences that do not come our way every day.