Definitions for rather
ˈræð ər, ˈrɑ ðərrather

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

1. rather, insteadadverb

   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 ofadverb

   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, ratheradverb

   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, ratheradverb

   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. ratherverb

   To prefer; to prefer to.

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

2. ratheradverb

   More quickly; sooner, earlier.

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

3. ratheradverb

   Used to specify a choice or preference; preferably.

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

4. ratheradverb

   Used to introduce a contradiction; on the contrary.

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

5. ratheradverb

   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. ratheradverb

   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. Ratheradjective

   prior; earlier; former

   Etymology: [Compar. of Rath, a.]

2. Ratheradjective

   earlier; sooner; before

   Etymology: [Compar. of Rath, a.]

3. Ratheradjective

   more readily or willingly; preferably

   Etymology: [Compar. of Rath, a.]

4. Ratheradjective

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

   Etymology: [Compar. of Rath, a.]

5. Ratheradjective

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

   Etymology: [Compar. of Rath, a.]

6. Ratheradjective

   more properly; more correctly speaking

   Etymology: [Compar. of Rath, a.]

7. Ratheradjective

   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. Julian Assange:

   Roger Stone is a rather canny spinmaster and we have not had any communications with Roger Stone whatsoever.

2. Mia Bloom:

   It was done more of a defense mechanism rather than as an act of violence. Islamic State has said in its propaganda many times women are to remain in the home and really their participation in jihad is more nurturing role as a mother and a wife.

3. Serena Williams:

   I want to be able to win matches where I'm not playing my best, play players who are playing great, be able to come through, i need to be tested, I guess. Sounds scripted. Actually, I'd rather not be tested in every match. But that doesn't happen, so it's important for me to have those, like, really rough, rowdy matches. That helps a lot.

4. Peter Lowman:

   It's obvious the world is now buying central banks rather than the fundamentals attached to the economies.

5. Bertolt Brecht:

   Do not fear death so much, but rather the inadequate life.

Images & Illustrations of rather

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