Sekirov Dictionary

rather

UK /ˈɹɑː.ðə(ɹ)/US /ˈɹæðɚ/

adverb 5
adjective 1
exclamation 1
noun 1
verb 1
forms 3

adverb5

•
more willingly, as a choice over something else
- 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.
•
Somewhat, quite; to an unexpected degree.
- It's been rather/quite a good meal overall, but this melon is rather too tasteless.
- We had some rather worse news today.
•
Used to introduce a contradiction; on the contrary.
- 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.
•
Introducing a qualification or clarification; more precisely. (Now usually preceded by or.)
- I didn't want to leave. Or rather I did, just not alone.
•
(no longer used) More quickly.
- 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. — 1683

adjective1

•
(no longer used) Prior; earlier; former.
- Now no man dwelleth at the rather town of Damietta. — 1900

exclamation1

•
(old-fashioned) An enthusiastic affirmation.
- Would you like some? –Rather!

noun1

•
(informal, old-fashioned) A choice or a preference.
- 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- — 1973

verb1

•
(dialect, nonstandard) To prefer; to prefer to.
- You'd rather us dead.

forms

rathered · rathering · rathers

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