Definitions for rather
ˈræð ər, ˈrɑ ðərrather

Princeton's WordNet(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition:

1. rather, instead(adverb)

   on the contrary

   "rather than disappoint the children, he did two quick tricks before he left"; "he didn't call; rather (or instead), he wrote her a letter"; "used English terms instead of Latin ones"

2. rather, kind of, kinda, sort of(adverb)

   to some (great or small) extent

   "it was rather cold"; "the party was rather nice"; "the knife is rather dull"; "I rather regret that I cannot attend"; "He's rather good at playing the cello"; "he is kind of shy"

3. preferably, sooner, rather(adverb)

   more readily or willingly

   "clean it well, preferably with warm water"; "I'd rather be in Philadelphia"; "I'd sooner die than give up"

4. quite, rather(adverb)

   to a degree (not used with a negative)

   "quite tasty"; "quite soon"; "quite ill"; "quite rich"

Wiktionary(3.00 / 1 vote)Rate this definition:

1. rather(Verb)

   To prefer; to prefer to.

   Etymology: From rather, rether, from hraþor, comparative of hraþe, equivalent to . More at rathe.

2. rather(Adverb)

   More quickly; sooner, earlier.

   Etymology: From rather, rether, from hraþor, comparative of hraþe, equivalent to . More at rathe.

3. rather(Adverb)

   Used to specify a choice or preference; preferably.

   Etymology: From rather, rether, from hraþor, comparative of hraþe, equivalent to . More at rathe.

4. rather(Adverb)

   Used to introduce a contradiction; on the contrary.

   Etymology: From rather, rether, from hraþor, comparative of hraþe, equivalent to . More at rathe.

5. rather(Adverb)

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

   Etymology: From rather, rether, from hraþor, comparative of hraþe, equivalent to . More at rathe.

6. rather(Adverb)

   Somewhat, fairly.

   Etymology: From rather, rether, from hraþor, comparative of hraþe, equivalent to . More at rathe.

Webster Dictionary(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition:

1. Rather(adj)

   prior; earlier; former

   Etymology: [Compar. of Rath, a.]

2. Rather(adj)

   earlier; sooner; before

   Etymology: [Compar. of Rath, a.]

3. Rather(adj)

   more readily or willingly; preferably

   Etymology: [Compar. of Rath, a.]

4. Rather(adj)

   on the other hand; to the contrary of what was said or suggested; instead

   Etymology: [Compar. of Rath, a.]

5. Rather(adj)

   of two alternatives conceived of, this by preference to, or as more likely than, the other; somewhat

   Etymology: [Compar. of Rath, a.]

6. Rather(adj)

   more properly; more correctly speaking

   Etymology: [Compar. of Rath, a.]

7. Rather(adj)

   in some degree; somewhat; as, the day is rather warm; the house is rather damp

   Etymology: [Compar. of Rath, a.]

Chambers 20th Century Dictionary(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition:

1. Rather

   räth′ėr, adv. more willingly: in preference: especially: more so than otherwise: on the contrary: somewhat, in some degree: more properly: (coll.) considerably, very much.—adj. Rath′erish, to a slight degree, somewhat.—Rather better than, somewhat in excess of.—The rather, by so much the more. [A.S. hrathor, comp. of hrathe, early.]

British National Corpus

1. Spoken Corpus Frequency

   Rank popularity for the word 'rather' in Spoken Corpus Frequency: #444

2. Written Corpus Frequency

   Rank popularity for the word 'rather' in Written Corpus Frequency: #442

3. Adverbs Frequency

   Rank popularity for the word 'rather' in Adverbs Frequency: #61

How to pronounce rather?

1. 

   Alex

   US English

   

   Daniel

   British

   

   Karen

   Australian

   

   Veena

   Indian

How to say rather in sign language?

Numerology

1. Chaldean Numerology

   The numerical value of rather in Chaldean Numerology is: 1

2. Pythagorean Numerology

   The numerical value of rather in Pythagorean Numerology is: 7

Examples of rather in a Sentence

1. Naveen Sarma:

   We would rather they would have remained an observer but they have chosen to take sides.

2. Michal Meidan:

   Political fiat rather than market mechanisms will dictate flows, baseloads for the new refineries are mainly Middle Eastern grades so U.S. flows will likely push out West African or North Sea oil (of similar quality).

3. Emeasoba George:

   Your past or yesterday is gone forever. So, forget it outrightly. The future is yet to come. Thus, never be bothered about it. Rather, plan for it and work towards it. Today is right before you. And so, you've got to utilize it and maximize it as well in order to avoid regrets eventually. -Emeasoba George

4. EMEASOBA GEORGE:

   Faith is concisely a complete trust in the supernatural being (almighty God). Knowing fully well that he knows the best and he does the best or rather, he gives the best to those who earnestly trust in him. ~Emeasoba George

5. Phil Verleger:

   Consumers do not buy gasoline for enjoyment in the way they buy chocolate. They buy gasoline because they must if they want to move ... Gasoline use is up not because consumers are taking more leisure trips but rather because economic activity is burgeoning.

Images & Illustrations of rather

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