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- Dictionaryrather/ˈrɑːðə/
adverb
- 1. used to indicate one's preference in a particular matter: "would you like some wine or would you rather stick to sherry?" Similar
- 2. to a certain or significant extent or degree: "she's been behaving rather strangely" Similar
exclamation
- 1. used to express emphatic affirmation, agreement, or acceptance: dated British "‘You are glad to be home, aren't you?’ ‘Rather!’"
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instead of; used especially when you prefer one thing to another: I think I'd like to stay at home this evening rather than go out. See more. would rather. B1 (also 'd rather)
The meaning of RATHER is with better reason or more propriety : more properly. How to use rather in a sentence.
You use rather before verbs that introduce your thoughts and feelings, in order to express your opinion politely, especially when a different opinion has been expressed.
used to mean ‘fairly’ or ‘to some degree’, often when you are disappointed, surprised or expressing slight criticism. rather odd/strange/unusual. a rather large sum of money. A rather small number of people turned up. They took a rather different approach. I thought it was a rather good idea. The instructions were rather complicated.
Rather definition: in a measure; to a certain extent; somewhat. See examples of RATHER used in a sentence.
1. More readily; preferably: I'd rather go to the movies. 2. More exactly; more accurately: He's my friend, or rather he was my friend. 3. To a certain extent; somewhat: It's rather cold out. I was rather hoping you'd call. 4. On the contrary: This is not a thoughtful criticism. Rather it is an insult.
Rather than usually occurs between two things which are being compared. However, we can also use it at the beginning of a sentence. When we use rather than with a verb, we use the base form or (less commonly) the -ing form of a verb: Rather than pay the taxi fare, he walked home. (or Rather than paying the taxi fare, he walked home.)
You use rather when you are correcting something that you have just said, especially when you are describing a particular situation after saying what it is not. [...]
adverb. /ˈræðər/ used to mean “fairly” or “to some degree,” often when you are expressing slight criticism, disappointment, or surprise The instructions were rather complicated. She fell and hurt her leg rather badly. I didn't fail the exam; in fact I did rather well! It was a rather difficult question. It was rather a difficult question.
From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English ra‧ther /ˈrɑːðə $ ˈræðər/ S1 W1 predeterminer, adverb 1 fairly or to some degree I was rather surprised to see him with his ex-wife. He was limping rather badly. My own position is rather different. Abigail’s always been rather a difficult child.
