˜yÐÄvlog

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View synonyms for

rather

[ adverb rath-er, rah-ther; interjection rath-ur, rah-thur ]

adverb

  1. in a measure; to a certain extent; somewhat:

    Some of his poems are rather good.

  2. in some degree:

    I rather thought you would regret it.

  3. more properly or justly; with better reason:

    The contrary is rather to be supposed.

  4. sooner; more readily or willingly:

    to die rather than yield.

  5. more properly or correctly speaking; more truly:

    He is a painter or, rather, a watercolorist.

  6. on the contrary:

    It's not generosity, rather self-interest.

  7. rather than, instead of:

    Tutoring is provided by older students rather than teachers.

    Rather than complain, you should try to make changes.



interjection

  1. Chiefly British. emphatically yes; assuredly; without doubt:

    Is the book worth reading? Rather!

rather

/ ˈ°ùÉ‘Ëðə /

adverb

  1. relatively or fairly; somewhat

    it's rather dull

  2. to a significant or noticeable extent; quite

    she's rather pretty

  3. to a limited extent or degree

    I rather thought that was the case

  4. with better or more just cause

    this text is rather to be deleted than rewritten

  5. more readily or willingly; sooner

    I would rather not see you tomorrow

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged†2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

sentence connector

  1. on the contrary

    it's not cold. Rather, it's very hot indeed

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged†2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

sentence substitute

  1. an expression of strong affirmation, often in answer to a question

    Is it worth seeing? Rather!

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged†2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Usage

Both would and had are used with rather in sentences such as I would rather (or had rather ) go to the film than to the play. Had rather is less common and is now widely regarded as slightly old-fashioned
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˜yÐÄvlog History and Origins

Origin of rather1

First recorded before 900; Middle English; Old English hrathor, comparative of ³ó°ùæ³Ù³ó “q³Ü¾±³¦°ì, rathe â€
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˜yÐÄvlog History and Origins

Origin of rather1

Old English hrathor comparative of ³ó°ùæ³Ù³ó ready , quick; related to Old Norse hrathr
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Idioms and Phrases

  1. would rather, to prefer to; to prefer that: Also Archaic or Literary, had rather. Compare sooner 1( def 7 ).

    I would much rather we just went home.

    We would rather go for dinner after the show.

More idioms and phrases containing rather

see had rather .
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

She has said she would rather die than be poor, and her oldest son has said his entire life is tied to his dad’s business.

From

"Philip had a rather tragic and lonely childhood," said historian and Philip's biographer Prof Angela John, who acted as an informal consultant on the film.

From

Talking with reporters Friday, Betts emphasized that his choice to go was not political, but rather because of his desire to be there for the team.

From

It’s not a means to an end but rather a journey that feels gratifying from start to finish.

From

On Friday Sharkey was handed a two year prison term, suspended for two years, after a judge concluded her post-natal depression had impaired her judgement so severely the case "called for compassion" rather than punishment.

From

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Related ˜yÐÄvlogs

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.

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