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

Plumptre's representatives declined to comment on her salary and contract at Al-Ittihad, and the player herself said the project was the main draw, rather than money.

From BBC

Crisps, lentils, pasta, milk and meat are among some of the products villagers say are being stocked at a higher price rather than within the value range of products.

From BBC

The way the contracts were written meant providers were incentivised to put asylum seekers in hotels rather than bedsits as they could earn "eight times as much profit" due to the higher costs, Kohler said.

From BBC

He says that some US consumers are now seeking out beta-lactoglobulin, which is high in the amino acid leucine, rather than non-specific whey protein.

From BBC

"I try to focus on that aspect rather than on all the possible negative aspects that are linked to that initiative," he said.

From BBC

Related Words

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