rather
English meaning: Rather
Definition
To prefer; to prefer to.
Example
“It was rather cold for a summer evening.”
Another example: “I'd rather walk than wait for the next bus.”
Usage — When, Where & How
Most common as an adverb meaning 'to a certain degree' or 'instead/preferably' ('rather good', 'I'd rather stay'). The verb sense ('to prefer') is dialectal and rare. The phrase 'would rather' expresses preference. Slightly more frequent in British English for emphasis.
Etymology & Origin
English — Origin & History
From Old English 'hrathor' ('more quickly, sooner'), comparative of 'hrathe' ('quickly'); the modern sense developed from 'sooner, by preference'.
Related Words
Common Collocations
- would rather
- rather than
- rather good
- or rather
- rather a lot
Word Forms
rather (adv)
Word Tools
Literary Heritage
“To thine own self be true, and it must follow, as the night the day, thou canst not then be false to any man.”
/To thine own self be true/
“Be honest with yourself — and as naturally as night follows day, you will be unable to be false to others.”
“I'm nobody! Who are you? Are you nobody, too?”
/I'm nobody! Who are you?/
“I am nobody — and that quiet anonymity is more honest than the noise of public fame.”
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