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rather
[rath-er, rah-ther, rath-ur, rah-thur]
adverb
in a measure; to a certain extent; somewhat.
Some of his poems are rather good.
in some degree.
I rather thought you would regret it.
more properly or justly; with better reason.
The contrary is rather to be supposed.
sooner; more readily or willingly.
to die rather than yield.
more properly or correctly speaking; more truly.
He is a painter or, rather, a watercolorist.
on the contrary.
It's not generosity, rather self-interest.
rather than, instead of.
Tutoring is provided by older students rather than teachers.
Rather than complain, you should try to make changes.
interjection
Chiefly British.emphatically yes; assuredly; without doubt.
Is the book worth reading? Rather!
rather
/ ˈɑːðə /
adverb
relatively or fairly; somewhat
it's rather dull
to a significant or noticeable extent; quite
she's rather pretty
to a limited extent or degree
I rather thought that was the case
with better or more just cause
this text is rather to be deleted than rewritten
more readily or willingly; sooner
I would rather not see you tomorrow
on the contrary
it's not cold. Rather, it's very hot indeed
an expression of strong affirmation, often in answer to a question
Is it worth seeing? Rather!
Usage
51Թ History and Origins
51Թ History and Origins
Origin of rather1
Idioms and Phrases
would rather, to prefer to; to prefer that: Also had rather
I would much rather we just went home.
We would rather go for dinner after the show.
Example Sentences
"You occasionally hear people say 'I'd rather watch the game without commentary,'" he sighs.
Mark Drakeford, the Welsh government's language secretary, said political agreement on Irish would be "healing rather than divisive".
For decades, the summer squash has earned a bad reputation for being abundant, rather too abundant.
He believes that making Toothless more closely resemble a mammal, rather than a reptile, and giving him pet-like qualities were the keys for him becoming so memorable.
The King, who is still undergoing his own treatment for cancer, rode in the carriage for the second year running rather than riding on horseback.
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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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