rather

'ræðә9 senses · 7 ms

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adv/ˈɹɑː.ðə(ɹ)//ˈɹæðɚ/[ˈɹæɾə]

1
Used to specify a choice or preference; preferably, in preference to. (Now usually followed by than)not-comparable
- I'd rather not have spent all the money, but it really was an emergency.
- I would like this one rather than the other one.
2
Used to introduce a contradiction; on the contrary.conjunctivenot-comparable
- It wasn't supposed to be popular; rather, it was supposed to get the job done.
- She didn't go along, but rather went home instead.
3
Introducing a qualification or clarification; more precisely. (Now usually preceded by or.)conjunctivenot-comparable
- I didn't want to leave. Or rather I did, just not alone.
4
Somewhat, quite; to an unexpected degree.not-comparable
- It's been rather/quite a good meal overall, but this melon is rather too tasteless.
- We had some rather worse news today.
5
More quickly.not-comparableobsolete
- Pompey, being elated and filled with confidence by this victory, made all haste to engage Sertorius himself, and the rather lest Metellus should come in for a share in the honour of the victory.

adj/ˈɹɑː.ðə(ɹ)//ˈɹæðɚ/[ˈɹæɾə]

1
Prior; earlier; former.not-comparableobsolete
- Now no man dwelleth at the rather town of Damietta.

intj/ˈɹɑː.ðə(ɹ)//ˌɹɑːˈðɜː(ɹ)//ˈɹæðɚ/

noun/ˈɹɑː.ðə(ɹ)//ˈɹæðɚ/[ˈɹæɾə]

1
A choice or a preference.datedinformaluncommon
- If I had my rathers I'd make up my own band. Art Blakey on the skins, Charlie Mingus on the bass, John Coltrane on the sax, Harry Edison on the horn-
- I would rather do it by myself. I would rather, if I had my rathers, not be seen doing it.

verb/ˈɹɑː.ðə(ɹ)//ˈɹæðɚ/[ˈɹæɾə]

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