Rather

Quick meaning: Rather is an adverb meaning Used to specify a choice or preference; preferably, in preference to. (Now usually followed by than).

Meaning

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

More Meanings

1. (conjunctive) Used to introduce a contradiction; on the contrary.
2. (conjunctive) Introducing a qualification or clarification; more precisely. (Now usually preceded by or.)
3. (degree) Somewhat, quite; to an unexpected degree.
4. (England, dated) An enthusiastic affirmation.
5. (informal, dated, uncommon) A choice or a preference.
6. (obsolete) More quickly.
7. (obsolete) Prior; earlier; former.

Example Sentences

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.

I'd rather not have spent all the money, but it really was an emergency.

Word Forms

• rathers
• rathering
• rathered

Synonyms for rather

Depending on context, synonyms include sooner, liefer, somewhat, fairly, actually, unexpectedly.

Antonyms for rather

Common opposites include utterly.

Related Words

Related dictionary entries include sooner, preferably, quite, kinda, instead, soon.

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