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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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We use rather as a degree adverb (rather cold, rather nice). We also use it to express alternatives and preferences (green rather than blue, coffee rather than tea, slowly rather than quickly). …
The meaning of RATHER is with better reason or more propriety : more properly. How to use rather in a sentence.
Rather definition: in a measure; to a certain extent; somewhat. See examples of RATHER used 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.
Definition of rather adverb in Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more.
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.)
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.
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 trip. She answered the phone rather sleepily. I rather doubt I'll be able to come to your party. Fewer examples.
Definitions of 'rather'. 1. See rather than [...] 2. 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. [...] 3. See would rather [...] More.
