rather Hear it!

rather Definition

rather (rat̸h′ər, rät̸h′-; for interj. ra′t̸hʉr′, rä′-)

adverb

  1. Obsolete more quickly; sooner
  2. more willingly; preferably would you rather have tea?
  3. with more justice, logic, reason, etc. one might rather say
  4. more accurately; more precisely his sister, or rather, stepsister
  5. on the contrary; quite conversely not a help, rather a hindrance
  6. somewhat; to some degree rather hungry

Etymology: ME < OE hrathor, compar. of hrathe, hræthe, quickly: see rathe

Chiefly Brit. yes; certainly

rather Idioms

had rather

Brit. would rather

rather than

instead of; in place of

would rather

  1. would choose to
  2. would prefer that
rather Synonyms

rather

interj.

I should say, certainly, of course, by all means, most assuredly, no doubt about it, and how!* you're telling me*.

rather Synonyms

rather

modif.

  1. To some degree

    fairly, somewhat, a little; see moderately, slightly, very.

  2. By preference

    first, by choice, in preference, sooner, more readily, willingly, much sooner, just as soon, as a matter of choice; see also preferably.

Browse dictionary entries near rather

  1. ‹ Rathenau
  2. ‹ rathe
  3. ‹ ratfish
  4. ‹ rates and tariffs
  5. ‹ -rater
  6. ‹ ratepayer
  7. ‹ ratel
  8. ‹ rated
  9. ‹ rateable
  10. ‹ rate of exchange
  1. rathole ›
  2. rathskeller ›
  3. ratification ›
  4. ratify ›
  5. ratiné ›
  6. rating ›
  7. ratio ›
  8. ratio decidende ›
  9. ratio hedge ›
  10. ratio spread ›