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!
Nearby words
rath, ratha, rathbone, rathe, rathenau, rather, rathke, rathke's pouch, rathole, rathouse, rathskeller
Idioms
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
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
British Dictionary definitions for would rather
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
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
Idioms and Phrases with would rather (1 of 2)
would rather
Prefer to, as in We would rather eat dinner before the movie. [Mid-1500s]
Idioms and Phrases with would rather (2 of 2)
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.