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. Raymond Helmick:

   There are a lot of issues, and the school is rather careless about the whole thing.

2. Vanese Henley:

   If you ask a dumb question, you’ll get a dumb answer…or would you rather me be the only one standing there looking intelligent.

3. C. C. Colton:

   To know a man, observe how he wins his object, rather than how he loses it; for when we fail, our pride supports; when we succeed; it betrays us.

4. Google News:

   We don't want to have legal disputes with publishers, we'd much rather collaborate with them to direct visitors to their websites and apps in order to strengthen digital journalism.

5. Czech Proverb:

   Do not protect yourself by a fence, but rather by your friends.

Images & Illustrations of rather

Popularity rank by frequency of use