Do you want to know better ways to say something is hard to find?
Maybe you’re tired of the original phrase, or you might think it’s a bit overused or generic.
Well, you’re in luck.
This article will explain how to say “hard to find” professionally and conversationally, depending on your needs.
Hard to Find Synonyms
- Elusive
- Diamond in the rough
- Rare
- Obscure
- Scarce
- Uncommon
- Difficult to attain
- Hard to obtain
- Hidden
- Unattainable
- Needle in a haystack
- Inconspicuous
- Out of reach
- Sparse
- Camouflaged
- Disguised
- Seldom seen
- Mysterious
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- “Hard to find” is correct and works well when you think something is rare or difficult to attain.
- “Elusive” is great as a formal synonym to help you explore another way to write it.
- “Diamond in the rough” is an informal idiom and alternative that works quite well when you want to spice things up.
Keep reading to learn another way to say “hard to find.” We’ve explained more regarding the best formal and informal alternatives to show you how they might apply.
You can also read the final section to learn whether it’s correct to say “hard to find.” So, you may want to skip ahead if this is more relevant to what you’re looking for.
Elusive (Formal)
You might want to start by using “elusive” as a professional way to say “hard to find.”
This is a great way to talk about someone (or something) you think is rare or hard to find.
For instance, you can use it when complimenting an employee. It shows you like their attitude or work ethic, as you think they’re a rare breed.
For the most part, it keeps things direct and sincere. That’s what makes it such a good choice in your writing.
You may also review the following email example to learn a bit more about it:
Dear Adam,
You’re quite an elusive employee because you always go above and beyond for us.
That’s why I’m so glad you’re such an instrumental part of the team.
All the best,
Rosie Canker
You can also use this when writing a resume.
It could be a great way for you to talk about your skill set. If you know it’s not a common skill set; then this is a great way to express that you’re happy to bring something new to the table.
This resume sample should also help to clear some things up for you:
I have an elusive skill set that’ll help me to stand out against my peers. You’ll be very impressed with what I can bring to the table.
Diamond in the Rough (Informal)
You can also use “diamond in the rough” to talk about something that is hard to find.
This is an idiom, so it’s a bit more informal. You might not use it as much in professional contexts, but it still has its place in emails.
For example, it’s good to use this when writing to a coworker.
You can use it as a friendly compliment that lets them know how happy you are to work alongside them.
Feel free to review the following sample email to learn a bit more about it:
Hey Taylor,
I’m so glad you’re on the team because you’re a true diamond in the rough.
Nobody can get to work quite like you do, and I really appreciate that.
All the best,
Melissa Keating
You can also use this in an essay.
It might be a good choice when talking about something you find rare or difficult to obtain. It’ll let the reader know how valuable or precious something might be.
So, you can review the following essay sample to learn a bit more about it:
This journey was great, and I found a diamond in the rough along the way. It’s something I’ll take with me wherever I go.
Is It Correct to Say “Hard to Find”?
It is correct to say “hard to find.”
It’s a good phrase to use in most cases. After all, it’s quite versatile.
Therefore, you can use it professionally. There’s nothing wrong with including it when you think someone or something is quite hard to find compared to others.
Feel free to review the following sample email if you still need help:
Dear Adam,
You’re a talent that’s hard to find these days, so we’re happy to have you on board.
Let us know if we can do anything to make things easier for you.
All the best,
Brock Tyler
You should know more about the hyphen rules surrounding this phrase, though.
You should not hyphenate it when using it after a noun.
For example:
- She is hard to find.
However, you can hyphenate it when it comes before a noun. This turns it into a compound adjective.
For instance:
- It’s a hard-to-find gem.
You should also bookmark this page before you leave. Then, you can always come back here when you need more ideas for synonyms to replace “hard to find.”