rather

[ adverb rath-er, rah-ther; interjection rath-ur, rah-thur ]

/ adverb ˈræð ər, ˈrɑ ðər; interjection ˈræðˈɜr, ˈrɑˈðɜr /

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See synonyms for rather on Thesaurus.com

adverb

in a measure; to a certain extent; somewhat: Some of his poems are rather good.

in some degree: I rather thought you would regret it.

more properly or justly; with better reason: The contrary is rather to be supposed.

sooner; more readily or willingly: to die rather than yield.

more properly or correctly speaking; more truly: He is a painter or, rather, a watercolorist.

on the contrary: It's not generosity, rather self-interest.

rather than, instead of: Tutoring is provided by older students rather than teachers.Rather than complain, you should try to make changes.

interjection

Chiefly British. emphatically yes; assuredly; without doubt: Is the book worth reading? Rather!

QUIZ

CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?

Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Idioms about rather

would rather, to prefer to; to prefer that: I would much rather we just went home.We would rather go for dinner after the show.Also Archaic or Literary, had rather .Compare sooner¹ (def. 7).

Origin of rather

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

Words nearby rather

rath, ratha, Rathbone, rathe, Rathenau, rather, Rathke's pouch, rathole, rathouse, rathskeller, raticide

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use rather in a sentence

Fluoride first entered an American water supply through a rather inelegant technocratic scheme.
Anti-Fluoriders Are The OG Anti-Vaxxers|Michael Schulson|July 27, 2016|DAILY BEAST
To put it rather uncharitably, the USPHS practiced a major dental experiment on a city full of unconsenting subjects.
Anti-Fluoriders Are The OG Anti-Vaxxers|Michael Schulson|July 27, 2016|DAILY BEAST
What they found was that most people preferred to work with the lovable fool rather than the competent jerk.
The Case Against In-Your-Face Atheism|Steve Neumann|January 4, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Which is impossible unless people talk publicly rather than letting each crime be its own isolated incident.
Cover-Ups and Concern Trolls: Actually, It's About Ethics in Suicide Journalism|Arthur Chu|January 3, 2015|DAILY BEAST

Lady Rose is also rather subdued in the premiere, which is a pity.
What Downton’s Fashion Really Means|Katie Baker|January 2, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Truth is a torch, but one of enormous size; so that we slink past it in rather a blinking fashion for fear it should burn us.
Pearls of Thought|Maturin M. Ballou
It ended on a complaint that she was 'tired rather and spending my time at full length on a deck-chair in the garden.'
The Wave|Algernon Blackwood
I was rather awed by his imposing appearance, and advanced timidly to the doors, which were of glass, and pulled the bell.
Music-Study in Germany|Amy Fay
Were you ever arrested, having in your custody another man's cash, and would rather go to gaol, than break it?
The Life and Most Surprising Adventures of Robinson Crusoe, of York, Mariner (1801)|Daniel Defoe
The streets here are rather wide for an Italian city but would be deemed intolerably narrow in America.
Glances at Europe|Horace Greeley

British Dictionary definitions for rather

rather

/ (ˈrɑːðə) /

adverb (in senses 1-4, not used with a negative)

relatively or fairly; somewhatit's rather dull

to a significant or noticeable extent; quiteshe's rather pretty

to a limited extent or degreeI rather thought that was the case

with better or more just causethis text is rather to be deleted than rewritten

more readily or willingly; soonerI would rather not see you tomorrow

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

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Idioms and Phrases with rather

rather

see had rather.

rather

Idioms about rather

Origin of rather

Words nearby rather

Words related to rather

How to use rather in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for rather

Word Origin for rather

usage for rather

Other Idioms and Phrases with rather