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 starting point for fresh-money buying today’s stock market is rather demanding, by some measures. —Michael Santoli, CNBC, 6 Dec. 2025

Of course, it’s not meant to compete with a Kawasaki Ninja ZX10R; rather, it’s meant to get you around the city as an alternative to ebikes, with the ability to haul some stuff around as well, being able to carry around 400 lb (180 kg) of weight around. —New Atlas, 5 Dec. 2025

This project doesn’t aim to control every variable as industrial production does, but rather embraces uncertainty, staying true to the organic, intuitive rhythm of natural dyes. —Photovogue, Vogue, 5 Dec. 2025

What has economists so worried isn’t necessarily the value of a nation’s debt, but rather its debt-to-GDP ratio, and how much of that debt is interest payments on existing borrowing. —Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 5 Dec. 2025

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