rather

adverb

rath·​er ˈra-t͟hər 

ˈrä-,

ˈrə-,

 also  ˈre-;

 interjectionally  ˈra-ˈt͟hər,

ˈrä-,

ˈrə-

1

: with better reason or more propriety : more properly

this you should pity rather than despise

—William Shakespeare

2

: more readily or willingly : preferably

I'd rather not go

would rather read than watch television

—often used interjectionally to express affirmation

3

: more correctly speaking

my father, or rather my stepfather

4

: to the contrary : instead

was no better but rather grew worse

—Mark 5:26 (Revised Standard Version)

5

: in some degree : somewhat

it's rather warm

—often used as a mild intensive

spent rather a lot of money

Phrases

the rather

archaic : the more quickly or readily

Synonyms

• fain
• first
• preferably
• readily
• soon
• willingly

Examples of rather in a Sentence

The movie is a comedy, but rather a dull one.

I think the children watch rather too much television.

It rather annoyed me that he was late picking me up.

Recent Examples on the Web

The finding supports a study published in June that suggested the island’s population didn’t crash, but rather was small to begin with. —Alexa Robles-Gil, Smithsonian Magazine, 16 Sep. 2024

Even with the return of normalcy at present, the company’s business has been stagnant, rather the company saw its first ever revenue decline in FY 2023. —Trefis Team, Forbes, 16 Sep. 2024

And even then, the deal often fails to solve the problem but rather punts the deadline until later in the year through a continuing resolution. —Cami Mondeaux, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 15 Sep. 2024

That premise might seem to set up a rather straightforward movie, but Tjahjanto’s indulgent streak forbids him from taking the shortest path to his story’s logical conclusion (an approach befitting a movie that has no logic or conclusion). —David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 14 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Old English hrathor, comparative of hrathe quickly; akin to Old High German rado quickly, Old English hræd quick

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing rather

• rather than
• sooner rather than later
• the exception rather than the rule
• the rather
• would rather

Kids Definition

rather

adverb

rath·​er ˈrat͟h-ər 

ˈrät͟h-,

ˈrət͟h-

1

: more willingly

would rather stay home

2

: more exactly : more properly

my father, or, rather, my stepfather

3

: instead

was no better but rather grew worse

4

: somewhat entry 2

rather cold today