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# seldom

adverb (seldom)

«seldom» in the English dictionary: everyday and in Jewish tradition — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. Not often; rarely: We seldom see snow here. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/seldom/#m1)
2. «Seldom, if ever» means almost never. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/seldom/#m2)

### In the lessons

A slightly formal word in books and exam passages; in speech people say «hardly ever» or «not often». In maths and data problems, an event that seldom happens has a low chance or probability. In stories: «The old man seldom left his house». Phrases: «seldom if ever», «very seldom», «seldom seen».

### Examples

- It seldom rains in the desert. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/seldom/#x1)
- We seldom eat out because it costs a lot. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/seldom/#x2)
- Owls are seldom seen in the day. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/seldom/#x3)
- Snow is seldom, if ever, seen in this town. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/seldom/#x4)
- He seldom forgets his homework. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/seldom/#x5)
- A seldom event has a low chance of happening. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/seldom/#x6)
- Very seldom does she miss a match. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/seldom/#x7)
- Old Anthony seldom spoke of this place, but he thought of it all the more. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/seldom/#x8)

### Note

Adverb; usually goes before the main verb: «I seldom go». It already means «not often», so do not add «not». In formal style it can start a sentence with inverted order: «Seldom have I seen…». Similar: rarely, hardly ever. Opposite: often.

## In Jewish tradition

Rarely, not often.

**Interpretation.** Proverbs is read as practical advice that even friendship needs some distance, so a neighbor does not tire of you.

### Examples

- Let thy foot be seldom in thy neighbour's house; lest he be sated with thee, and hate thee. (Writings PRO.25.17, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/S/seldom/#x1)

### Note

Adverb; usually goes before the main verb: «I seldom go». It already means «not often», so do not add «not». In formal style it can start a sentence with inverted order: «Seldom have I seen…». Similar: rarely, hardly ever. Opposite: often.

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «seldom» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/seldom/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«seldom» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/seldom.html) on Mova free.
- [Trees and pragmatics of «seldom» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/S/seldom/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«seldom» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/judaism/w/seldom.html) on Mova free.