rare; exceptional; extraordinary
Describes something so outstanding that few, if any, can compare. Often used in formal or literary contexts to praise talent, beauty, or achievement.
She has exceptional talent.
この絵には類まれな美しさがある。
This painting has extraordinary beauty.
卓越 means 'excellence' or 'preeminence' and is more neutral in register. 類まれ carries a stronger nuance of being one-of-a-kind.
Most common kanji spelling. 類いまれ is also seen.
Alternate kanji spelling using 稀.
Compound of 類い (tagui, 'kind, sort') and 稀 (mare, 'rare'). Literally 'rare among its kind', it came to mean 'exceptionally rare' and by extension 'unparalleled'.