rather */*/*/

rather */*/*/
UK [ˈrɑːðə(r)] / US [ˈræðər] adverb, predeterminer
Summary:

Rather can be used in the following ways: - as an adverb (before an adjective or another adverb): I'm feeling rather tired. ♦ She's been treated rather badly. (before a verb): He rather enjoys telling other people what to do. (as an answer word): "Would you like to come for a ride?" "Rather!" - as a predeterminer (followed by "a"): This is rather a good wine. - in the conjunction phrase rather than: It would be better to make a decision now, rather than leave it until later. - as a way of showing how a sentence is connected to what has already been said: His purpose was not so much to attack his rivals. Rather, it was to defend his own position.
1)
a) to a fairly large degree

some rather nice chocolate biscuits

He was rather a handsome boy.

I realize that I've been rather stupid and selfish.

Matt left rather suddenly without any explanation.

rather more/better/worse/bigger etc:

The problem is rather more complicated than we had expected.

b) mainly spoken a little too much, or to a degree that is slightly too great

Don't you think she's rather young to be travelling abroad on her own?

It's a good essay, but rather long.

rather too:

Toby had drunk rather too much.

2) used for introducing a true statement after saying that another statement is not true

The purpose of Paxton's book was not to make accusations. Rather, it was to provide information on which accusations might be based.

Our aim was not to punish the rich, but rather to bring justice to the poor.

3) used for correcting what you have just said
or rather:

He couldn't help us, or rather he didn't want to.

Who is Fred anyway, or rather who was he?

4) British informal old-fashioned UK [ˌrɑːˈθɜː(r)] / US [ˌrɑˈθɜr]
used for showing that you are very keen to do what someone has suggested
•

English dictionary. 2014.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • rather — 1. Rather is common in BrE as a so called ‘downtoner’, i.e. an adverb that reduces the effect of the following adjective, adverb, or noun, as in It is rather expensive, You were driving rather fast, and He s rather a fool. With nouns, the… …   Modern English usage

  • Rather — Rath er (r[a^][th] [ e]r; 277), adv. [AS. hra[eth]or, compar. of hra[eth]e, hr[ae][eth]e, quickly, immediately. See {Rath}, a.] [1913 Webster] 1. Earlier; sooner; before. [Obs.] [1913 Webster] Thou shalt, quod he, be rather false than I. Chaucer …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • rather — [rath′ər, räth′ər; ] for interj. [ ra′thʉr′, rä′thʉr′] adv. [ME < OE hrathor, compar. of hrathe, hræthe, quickly: see RATHE] 1. Obs. more quickly; sooner 2. more willingly; preferably [would you rather have tea?] 3. with more justice, logic,… …   English World dictionary

  • Rather — is a family name. It is also an adverb in the English language.Rather may refer to:* Dan Rather, news presenter * Elizabeth Rather, expert in the computer programming language Forthsurname …   Wikipedia

  • rather — ► ADVERB 1) (would rather) indicating one s preference in a particular matter. 2) to a certain or significant extent or degree. 3) on the contrary. 4) more precisely. 5) instead of; as opposed to. ► EXCLAMATION Brit. dated …   English terms dictionary

  • Rather — ist der Name folgender Personen: Rather von Verona (um 887 974), Theologe und Bischof von Verona und Lüttich Dan Rather (* 1931), US amerikanischer Journalist Diese Seite ist eine Begriffsklärung zur Unterscheidung mehrerer …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • rather — [adv1] moderately a bit, a little, averagely, comparatively, enough, fairly, in a certain degree, kind of, more or less, passably, pretty, quite, ratherish, reasonably, relatively, slightly, some, something, somewhat, sort of, so so*, tolerably,… …   New thesaurus

  • Rather — Rath er (r[a^][th] [ e]r), a. [Compar. of {Rath}, a.] Prior; earlier; former. [Obs.] [1913 Webster] Now no man dwelleth at the rather town. Sir J. Mandeville. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • rather — O.E. hraþor more quickly, earlier, sooner, also more readily, comparative of hraþe, hræþe quickly, related to hræð quick, from P.Gmc. *khrathuz (Cf. O.N. hraðr, O.H.G. hrad). The base form rathe was obsolete by 18c. except in poetry; superlative… …   Etymology dictionary

  • rather — [[t]rɑ͟ːðə(r), ræ̱ð [/t]] ♦ 1) PHR PREP You use rather than when you are contrasting two things or situations. Rather than introduces the thing or situation that is not true or that you do not want. The problem was psychological rather than… …   English dictionary

  • rather — predeterminer, adverb 1 (+ adj/adv) quite; fairly: I was rather surprised to see him with his ex wife. | He was limping rather badly as he walked off the field. | It s not too big for you at all. I rather like the way it fits you. | rather a big… …   Longman dictionary of contemporary English

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