rather
[ adverb rath -er, rah-th er; interjection rath -ur, rah-th ur ]
/ adverb ˈræð ər, ˈrɑ ðər; interjection ˈræðˈɜr, ˈrɑˈðɜr /
adverb
interjection
Chiefly British. emphatically yes; assuredly; without doubt: Is the book worth reading?Rather!
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Idioms for rather
had/would rather, to prefer that or to: I had much rather we not stay. We would rather go for dinner after the show.Compare soon(def 8).
Origin of rather
Words nearby rather
rath, ratha, rathbone, rathe, rathenau, rather, rathke, rathke's pouch, rathole, rathouse, rathskeller
Definition for rather (2 of 2)
rathe
[ reyth ]
/ reɪð /
adjective
Archaic. growing, blooming, or ripening early in the year or season.
Also rath [rath] /ræθ/.
Origin of rathe
before 900; Middle English; Old English hræth, hræd quick, active; cognate with Dutch rad, Old Norse hrathr
OTHER WORDS FROM rathe
rathe·ly, adverbrathe·ness, nounDictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020
Example sentences from the Web for rather
British Dictionary definitions for rather (1 of 2)
rather
/ (ˈrɑːðə) /
adverb (in senses 1-4, not used with a negative)
sentence connector
on the contraryit's not cold. Rather, it's very hot indeed
sentence substitute (ˈrɑːˈðɜː)
an expression of strong affirmation, often in answer to a questionIs it worth seeing? Rather!
Word Origin for rather
Old English hrathor comparative of hræth ready, quick; related to Old Norse hrathr
usage for rather
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
British Dictionary definitions for rather (2 of 2)
rathe
rath (rɑːθ)
/ (reɪð) /
adjective archaic, or literary
blossoming or ripening early in the season
eager or prompt
Word Origin for rathe
Old English hrathe; related to Old High German hrado, Old Norse hrathr
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Idioms and Phrases with rather
rather
see had rather.
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.