rather

Formsrathers, rathering, rathered

Pluralrathers

1. 1
   choosing (with than)adverb

   Used to show you prefer one thing instead of another.

   Like choosing one path because you like it better than the other.

   I would rather walk than wait for the late bus.

   She would rather stay home than go out tonight.

   UsageSay I'd rather walk than wait.

   Similarsooner

2. 2
   somewhatadverb

   To a noticeable degree, more than you might expect.

   The test was rather hard for the younger kids.

   It felt rather cold inside the old stone house.

   UsageSay rather cold or rather a lot.

   Similarsomewhat, fairly, quite

3. 3
   on the contraryadverb

   Used to show that the true fact is the opposite of what was said.

   He wasn't angry. Rather, he was just tired.

   The trip wasn't boring. Rather, it was the best part of the year.

   Similarinstead

4. 4
   more preciselyadverb

   Used to fix or make clearer what you just said.

   The movie starts at seven, or rather seven thirty.

   He's my friend, or rather my best friend.

   UsageSay or rather to correct yourself.

   Note
5. 5
   prefer (dialect)verbdialectaltransitive

   To like or want one thing more than another.

   So you must excuse my saying anything I did: all it was, that up to the very last I had understood us all to be friendly — apart, that is, from his rathering me not there. How was I to know he would flash out so wicked?

   2002, Elizabeth Bowen, The Heat of the Day

   Similarprefer

   Note

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