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

But rather than staying permanently in the US, a few years ago she decided to return home to Paraguay.

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This means welcoming our friends into our messy lives, rather than waiting for perfect moments, says psychologist Julia Samuels.

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It calls for a reformed council tax based on current property values, rather than the current system that "ludicrously" uses values from 1991.

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If they were impressive on Sunday it was in the way they spoke rather than in the way they played.

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Last season, he won the Gerd Muller Trophy - unlike the Golden Shoe, awarded solely on goals rather than a points system - scoring 63 goals for Sporting and Sweden.

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Related Words

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