rather

[rath-er, rah-ther, rath-ur, rah-thur]

adverb

1. in a measure; to a certain extent; somewhat.

   Some of his poems are rather good.

2. in some degree.

   I rather thought you would regret it.

3. more properly or justly; with better reason.

   The contrary is rather to be supposed.

4. sooner; more readily or willingly.

   to die rather than yield.

5. more properly or correctly speaking; more truly.

   He is a painter or, rather, a watercolorist.

6. on the contrary.

   It's not generosity, rather self-interest.

7. rather than, instead of.

   Tutoring is provided by older students rather than teachers.

   Rather than complain, you should try to make changes.

interjection

1. Chiefly British.,  emphatically yes; assuredly; without doubt.

   Is the book worth reading? Rather!

rather

/ ˈrɑːðə /

adverb

1. relatively or fairly; somewhat

   it's rather dull

2. to a significant or noticeable extent; quite

   she's rather pretty

3. to a limited extent or degree

   I rather thought that was the case

4. with better or more just cause

   this text is rather to be deleted than rewritten

5. more readily or willingly; sooner

   I would rather not see you tomorrow

1. on the contrary

   it's not cold. Rather, it's very hot indeed

1. an expression of strong affirmation, often in answer to a question

   Is it worth seeing? Rather!

Usage

Both would and had are used with rather in sentences such as I would rather (or had rather ) go to the film than to the play. Had rather is less common and is now widely regarded as slightly old-fashioned

Word History and Origins

Origin of rather¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English; Old English hrathor, comparative of hræth “quick, rathe ”

Word History and Origins

Origin of rather¹

Old English hrathor comparative of hræth _ready , quick; related to Old Norse hrathr

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. would rather, to prefer to; to prefer that: Also had rather

   I would much rather we just went home.

   We would rather go for dinner after the show.

see had rather.

Example Sentences

Slash, or, rather, a skeletal facsimile of him played by an actor, will be available for photo opportunities and meet and greets at Universal’s Halloween Horror Nights, which runs most evenings through Nov. 2.

From Los Angeles Times

His messages were "not merely irritating or annoying, but rather oppressive and unacceptable, thereby crossing the threshold into harassment", Julia Faure Walker, for the prosecution, said on Thursday.

From BBC

"The initial reaction suggests markets are focused on Fed rate cuts rather than concerns about a cooling economy," said Ellen Zentner, chief economic Strategist for Morgan Stanley Wealth Management.

From BBC

McLaren have traced the engine failure in last weekend's Dutch Grand Prix that dented Norris' title hopes to a broken oil line - a McLaren issue rather than a problem with the Mercedes engine.

From BBC

The team is concentrating instead on what it insists will be a bright future, one that will arrive sooner rather than later.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• a bit 
• a little 
• comparatively 
• fairly 
• kind of 
• pretty 
• quite 
• relatively 
• slightly 
• somewhat