rather

[ adverb rath-er, rah-th er; interjection rath-ur, rah-th ur ]
/ adverb ˈræð ər, ˈrɑ ðər; interjection ˈræðˈɜr, ˈrɑˈðɜr /

adverb

interjection

Chiefly British. emphatically yes; assuredly; without doubt: Is the book worth reading?Rather!

Idioms for rather

    had/would rather, to prefer that or to: I had much rather we not stay. We would rather go for dinner after the show. Compare soon(def 8).

Origin of rather

before 900; Middle English; Old English hrathor, comparative of hræth quick, rathe

Definition for rather (2 of 2)

rathe
[ reyth ]
/ reɪð /

adjective

Archaic. growing, blooming, or ripening early in the year or season.
Also rath [rath] /ræθ/.

Origin of rathe

before 900; Middle English; Old English hræth, hræd quick, active; cognate with Dutch rad, Old Norse hrathr

OTHER WORDS FROM rathe

rathe·ly, adverb rathe·ness, noun

Example sentences from the Web for rather

British Dictionary definitions for rather (1 of 2)

rather
/ (ˈrɑːðə) /

adverb (in senses 1-4, not used with a negative)

sentence connector

on the contrary it's not cold. Rather, it's very hot indeed

sentence substitute (ˈrɑːˈðɜː)

an expression of strong affirmation, often in answer to a question Is it worth seeing? Rather!

Word Origin for rather

Old English hrathor comparative of hræth ready, quick; related to Old Norse hrathr

usage for rather

Both would and had are used with rather in sentences such as I would rather (or had rather) go to the film than to the play. Had rather is less common and is now widely regarded as slightly old-fashioned

British Dictionary definitions for rather (2 of 2)

rathe

rath (rɑːθ)

/ (reɪð) /

adjective archaic, or literary

blossoming or ripening early in the season
eager or prompt

Word Origin for rathe

Old English hrathe; related to Old High German hrado, Old Norse hrathr

Idioms and Phrases with rather

rather

see had rather.