adv

rather

RAH-thuh

adv

Used to show a preference for one thing over another.

"I would rather stay home than go to the party."

To some noticeable degree; somewhat or quite.

"The exam was rather difficult."

"It's rather cold outside today."

Used to correct or clarify a previous statement; more accurately.

"He wasn't angry, but rather disappointed."

How to Use Rather

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA word for showing preference, degree, or a correction ("more precisely").

Common pairings

would rather rather than or rather

rathered past tense, rathers plural, Rathers plural, rathers singular

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I would _____ stay home than go to the party.

From Old English hraþor, "sooner, more quickly" — the comparative of a word meaning "swift."

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