WordGarden.iouncommonly
A2Pronunciation
UK
- /ʌnkˈɒmənli/
US
- /ˌənˈkɑmənli/
Meanings
Adverb
to an unusual or remarkable degree; exceptionally
not often; infrequently
Beyond the definition
"Uncommonly" usually means "unusually" or "to a surprising degree." It is often used to show that something stands out more than people would expect. A quiet person might speak uncommonly loudly in a tense moment, or an old book might be uncommonly well preserved for its age. In both cases, the point is not that the thing happens rarely, but that it is noticeably beyond the usual.
It can also add praise or emphasis. You might say someone has an "uncommonly keen eye" for detail or that a child asked an "uncommonly thoughtful" question. The word gives a sense of surprise, and sometimes admiration, while keeping the tone a little more polished than simply saying "very."
The word "uncommonly" most often means "unusually" or "exceptionally." It tells us that something is present to a surprising degree or in a way that stands out from what is normal. When you say someone is "uncommonly kind" or that a room is "uncommonly quiet," you are not mainly talking about frequency. You are saying the kindness or quietness is stronger than expected.
That is why the word often appears before adjectives and adverbs. An artist may have an "uncommonly vivid imagination." A student may write "uncommonly clearly." An old house may be "uncommonly well kept." In each case, the word adds emphasis, but it sounds a little more thoughtful or literary than plain words like "very."
In some contexts, it can still suggest that something is not common or does not happen often, but that is usually not the main idea. The stronger and more common sense is that something is unusual in degree, quality, or character. A town may be uncommonly busy during a festival, a child may be uncommonly calm in a stressful situation, or a sunset may look uncommonly beautiful after a storm.
So the heart of the word is this: something feels beyond the ordinary. It may be better, stronger, quieter, harder, brighter, or simply more noticeable than expected. "Uncommonly" helps describe that extra step away from the usual, often with a shade of surprise, admiration, or careful observation.
Examples
- 1
Late night
The streets were uncommonly quiet after midnight.
- 2
Personal quality
She's uncommonly patient with beginners.
- 3
Difficult news
He handled the bad news uncommonly well.
- 4
Weather
We’ve had uncommonly warm weather for April.
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Literary style
The novel is uncommonly honest about grief.
See also
Similar
Shades of meaning
Contrast
Used with (collocations)
- uncommonly good
- uncommonly beautiful
- uncommonly rare
Word family
Explore
- intensifier
- degree adverb
Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- uncommonlyadverb