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- Dictionaryrath·er/ˈraT͟Hər/
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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quite; to a slight degree: It's rather cold today, isn't it? That's rather a difficult book - here's an easier one for you. The train was rather too crowded for a comfortable journey. She answered the phone rather sleepily. I rather doubt I'll be able to come to your party. Fewer examples.
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.
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 definition: in a measure; to a certain extent; somewhat. See examples of RATHER used in a sentence.
Use rather to specify a preference for one thing over another. Wouldn't you rather go to the movies than stay home and clean the house? Rather can also be used to mean "on the contrary," or to introduce a contradiction.
Definition of rather adverb in Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more.
Jun 2, 2024 · (preference): When expressing preference, the expression is usually would rather or had rather, usually contracted to 'd rather, but will rather and should rather also exist. In fact, use without any modal verb also exists in nonstandard and dialectal usage, in which rather is used as a verb ( he rathers/rathered ), see below.
RATHER definition: 1. slightly or to a degree: 2. instead of: 3. If you would rather do something, you would prefer…. Learn more.
• You say that you would rather be something: I would rather be rich than poor. Don’t say: I would rather to be rich than poor. • You say that you would rather someone did something: I would rather you came in spring.
