Dictionary.com
definitions

rather

[ adverb rath -er, rah-th er; interjection rath -ur, rah-th ur ]
/ adverb ˈræð ər, ˈrɑ ðər; interjection ˈræðˈɜr, ˈrɑˈðɜr /
|
SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR rather ON THESAURUS.COM

adverb

interjection

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

RELATED CONTENT

What Does 🦎 Lizard Emoji Mean?The lizard emoji is a straightforward small lizard, looking like a salamander or gecko with a long body, four short legs, two large eyes, and clearly outlined claws, or toes.
READ MORE
10 Shakespearean Terms Of EndearmentRead more in this article about some frequently asked questions and fun facts related to our definitions.
READ MORE

RELATED WORDS

adopt, suggest, pick, wish, put, promote, select, choose, desire, advance, aggrandize, upgrade, tap, raise, pose, cull, fancy, mark, elevate, incline

Nearby words

  1. ratha,
  2. rathbone,
  3. rathe,
  4. rathenau,
  5. rathenau, walther,
  6. rathke,
  7. rathke's pouch,
  8. rathole,
  9. rathouse,
  10. 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

before 900; Middle English; Old English hrathor, comparative of hræth quick, rathe
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

Word Origin and History for would rather

rather

adv.

Old English hraþor "more quickly, earlier, sooner," also "more readily," comparative of hraþe, hræþe "quickly, hastily, promptly, readily, immediately," which is related to hræð "quick, nimble, prompt, ready," from Proto-Germanic *khratha- (cf. Old Norse hraðr, Old High German hrad), from PIE *kret- "to shake." The base form rathe was obsolete by 18c. except in poetry (Tennyson); superlative rathest fell from use by 17c. Meaning "more willingly" is recorded from c.1300; sense of "more truly" is attested from late 14c.

The rather lambes bene starved with cold
[Spenser, "The Shepheardes Calender" (Februarie), 1579]
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper

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.