rather Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. adverb on the contrary; rather (or instead), he wrote her a letter"
    instead.
    • rather than disappoint the children, he did two quick tricks before he left
    • he didn't call
    • used English terms instead of Latin ones
  2. adverb to some (great or small) extent
    kind of; sort of; kinda.
    • it was rather cold
    • the party was rather nice
    • the knife is rather dull
    • I rather regret that I cannot attend
    • He's rather good at playing the cello
    • he is kind of shy
  3. adverb more readily or willingly
    preferably; sooner.
    • clean it well, preferably with warm water
    • I'd rather be in Philadelphia
    • I'd sooner die than give up
  4. adverb to a degree (not used with a negative)
    quite.
    • quite tasty
    • quite soon
    • quite ill
    • quite rich

WordNet

Rath"er adjective
Etymology
Compar. of Rath, a.
Definitions
  1. Prior; earlier; former. Obs.
    Now no man dwelleth at the rather town. Sir J. Mandeville.
Rath"er adverb
Etymology
AS. hrathor, compar. of hrathe, hræthe, quickly, immediately. See Rath, a.
Definitions
  1. Earlier; sooner; before. Obs.
    Thou shalt, quod he, be rather false than I. Chaucer.
    A good mean to come the rather to grace. Foxe.
  2. More readily or willingly; preferably.
    My soul chooseth . . . death rather than my life. Job vii. 15.
  3. On the other hand; to the contrary of what was said or suggested; instead.
    Was nothing bettered, but rather grew worse. Mark v. 26.
  4. Of two alternatives conceived of, by preference to, or as more likely than, the other; somewhat.
    He sought throughout the world, but sought in vain, And nowhere finding, rather feared her slain. Dryden.
  5. More properly; more correctly speaking.
    This is an art Which does mend nature, change it rather, but The art itself is nature. Shak.
  6. In some degree; somewhat; as, the day is rather warm; the house is rather damp.

Webster 1913