rather

adverb

rath·​er ˈra-t͟hər 

ˈrä-, 

ˈrə-

also ˈre-;

interjectionally ˈra-ˈt͟hər, 

ˈrä-, 

ˈrə-

1

: with better reason or more propriety : more properly

This you should pity rather than despise.

—William Shakespeare

2

: more readily or willingly : preferably

I'd rather not go

would rather read than watch television

—often used interjectionally to express affirmation

3

: more correctly speaking

my father, or rather my stepfather

4

: to the contrary : instead

… was no better but rather grew worse.

—Mark 5:26 (Revised Standard Version)

5

: in some degree : somewhat

it's rather warm

—often used as a mild intensive

spent rather a lot of money

Phrases

the rather

archaic : the more quickly or readily

Synonyms of rather

• preferably
• willingly
• soon

Examples of rather in a Sentence

The movie is a comedy, but rather a dull one.

I think the children watch rather too much television.

It rather annoyed me that he was late picking me up.

Recent Examples on the Web

The fact that this description calls forth the spirit of a Situationist dérive should serve as a reminder that in all this there is overlap not just with sixties counterculture broadly speaking, but rather more specifically with its avant-garde, in California groups such as the Diggers. —Literary Hub, 26 May 2026

The screenplay is episodic, with scenes that do not naturally follow each other to form a coherent narrative, but rather come together to give the audience a full portrait of these three women. —Murtada Elfadl, Variety, 25 May 2026

This is not like how vinyl records have had a comeback against music streaming—as a retro-cool thing—but rather an example of the enduring value of people integrating their passion and fandom into the daily soundtrack of their lives. —Kelli Turner, Sportico.com, 25 May 2026

But for now, Miami would rather roll the dice with Greg Dulcich, who has caught all of 67 passes in his four previous seasons, and two draftees in Will Kacmarek and Seydou Traore. —Omar Kelly may 25, Miami Herald, 25 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Old English hrathor, comparative of hrathe quickly; akin to Old High German rado quickly, Old English hræd quick

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing rather

• rather than
• sooner rather than later
• the exception rather than the rule
• would rather

Rhymes for rather

• gather
• lather

Kids Definition

rather

adverb

rath·​er ˈrat͟h-ər 

ˈrät͟h-, 

ˈrət͟h-

1

: more willingly

would rather stay home

2

: more exactly : more properly

my father, or, rather, my stepfather

3

: instead

was no better but rather grew worse

4

: somewhat entry 2

rather cold today