rather

[ adverb rath-er, rah-ther; interjection 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

sentence connector

1. on the contrary

   it's not cold. Rather, it's very hot indeed

sentence substitute

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 Archaic or Literary, had rather. Compare sooner ¹( def 7 ).

   I would much rather we just went home.

   We would rather go for dinner after the show.

More idioms and phrases containing rather

see had rather .

Example Sentences

Fluoride first entered an American water supply through a rather inelegant technocratic scheme.

From The Daily Beast

To put it rather uncharitably, the USPHS practiced a major dental experiment on a city full of unconsenting subjects.

From The Daily Beast

What they found was that most people preferred to work with the lovable fool rather than the competent jerk.

From The Daily Beast

Which is impossible unless people talk publicly rather than letting each crime be its own isolated incident.

From The Daily Beast

Lady Rose is also rather subdued in the premiere, which is a pity.

From The 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.

From Project Gutenberg

It ended on a complaint that she was 'tired rather and spending my time at full length on a deck-chair in the garden.'

From Project Gutenberg

I was rather awed by his imposing appearance, and advanced timidly to the doors, which were of glass, and pulled the bell.

From Project Gutenberg

Were you ever arrested, having in your custody another man's cash, and would rather go to gaol, than break it?

From Project Gutenberg

The streets here are rather wide for an Italian city but would be deemed intolerably narrow in America.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

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