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
Words nearby rather
rath,
ratha,
rathbone,
rathe,
rathenau,
rather,
rathke,
rathke's pouch,
rathole,
rathouse,
rathskeller
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, nounExample 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.