rather
/ˈrɑːðə
/adverb
1 (would rather) Used to indicate one’s preference in a particular matter: would you like some wine or would you rather stick to sherry? she’d rather die than cause a scene [with clause]: I’d rather you didn’t tell him...
- At home, it is true that he has usually been a risk-averse leader who would rather finesse a tough choice than make it.
- When asked if he would rather be a tourist or on tour, he said a tourist.
- There's a side of the art world I would rather not get involved with.
Synonyms
by preference, sooner, preferably, from/by choice, more willingly, more readily;
North American if I had my druthers
2 [as submodifier] To a certain or significant extent or degree: she’s been behaving rather strangely he’s rather an unpleasant man...
- Some of the monkeys were friendly, but others were behaving rather oddly.
- Alex, who is rather arrogant and unpleasant, begins to receive strange text messages.
- It was, rather strangely, his extensive knowledge of astrology that led to his first appointment.
Synonyms
quite, a bit, a little, fairly, slightly, somewhat, relatively, to some degree/extent, comparatively, moderately
informal pretty, sort of, kind of, kinda, ish
2.1Used before verbs so as to make the expression of a feeling or opinion less assertive: I rather think he wants me to marry him we were rather hoping you might do that for us...
- She had rather expected me to be on my way to being Prime Minister as she had been told so by a fortune-teller on holiday.
- I rather enjoy the storylines of the supporting characters, partly because the writers tend to wind them up before they get too tedious.
- I rather hope when quizzed about America she will deliver one of her famous soundbites.
3Used to suggest that the opposite of a previous statement is the case; on the contrary: [sentence adverb]: There is no shortage of basic skills in the workplace. Rather, the problem is poor management...
- It prefers rather to say that it offers discounts to married couples.
- This is not a simple party concern but rather a matter of urgent national interest.
- Andrea wasn't the sort to nag, rather such a quiet, forbearing type that people would hold her up as an example.
3.1More precisely: I walked, or rather limped, the two miles home...
- Modernisation is by no means overdone, or rather, when it is overdone, it is brazenly clever.
- The technology, or rather the people behind it, are getting smarter.
- I just don't feel comfortable speaking, or rather trying to speak French.
Synonyms
more precisely, to be precise, to be exact, strictly speaking, correctly speaking
3.2Instead of; as opposed to: she seemed indifferent rather than angry...
- So do they list a number for you to call instead, rather than waiting for them to call you back?
- Anyone with an ounce of compassion can see he is to be pitied rather than pilloried.
- Instead, stick to key points and summaries, rather than big chunks of text.
Synonyms
more, more truly;
as opposed to, instead of
on the contrary, quite the opposite, instead
exclamation /rɑːˈðəː / British dated
/ British datedUsed to express emphatic affirmation, agreement, or acceptance: ‘You are glad to be home, aren’t you?’ ‘Rather!’...
- ‘We were at school together, weren't we Johnnie?’ ‘Yes, rather,’ said Johnnie.
- ‘I agree, but I can't help thinking that demolishing the barracks is an added risk to the whole endeavor.’ ‘Rather,’ concurred Gavin.
Phrases
had rather
rather you (or him or her etc.) than me
Origin
Old English hrathor 'earlier, sooner', comparative of hræthe 'without delay', from hræth 'prompt' (see rathe).
Rhymes
- ruby hole
- Ruby, Jack
- ruby laser
- Ruby Mountains
- Ruby Murray
- ruby-necked
- ruby port
- ruby-red
- ruby-ripe
- ruby rock
- ruby silver
- ruby spinel
- ruby sulfur
- ruby sulphur
- ruby-sweet
- ruby-tail
- ruby-tailed wasp
- ruby-tail wasp
- rubythroat
- ruby-throated
- ruby-throated hummingbird
- ruby tiger
- ruby topaz
- ruby-topaz hummingbird
- ruby wedding