rather

1. 1.Used to specify a choice or preference; preferably, in preference to. (Now usually followed by than)

   • They'd rather've spent the money on a holiday.
   • I would like this one rather than the other one.
   • Tomorrow's impossible. We'd rather you came next weekend.

2. 2.Used to introduce a contradiction; on the contrary.

   • She didn't go along, but rather went home instead.
   • It wasn't supposed to be popular; rather, it was supposed to get the job done.

3. 3.Introducing a qualification or clarification; more precisely. (Now usually preceded by or.)

   • I didn't want to leave. Or rather I did, just not alone.
   • What the pupil already knew was indeed rather taken for granted than expressed, but it performed the useful function of transcending all textbooks, and supplanting all studies.

4. 4.Somewhat, quite; to an unexpected degree.

   • We had some rather worse news today.
   • We’ll be seeing rather a lot of you over the next few days.
   • It's been rather/quite a good meal overall, but this melon is rather too tasteless.

Overall

Common· #842

By learning goal

Everyday conversation

Uncommon

General reading & writing

Common

Academic

Uncommon

Literature

Rare

Synonyms

• instead

Word family

• rat