rather

 
Pronunciation: /ˈrɑːðə/

adverb

  • 1 (would rather) used to indicate one’s preference in a particular matter: would you like some wine or would you rather stick to sherry? she’d rather die than cause a scene [with clause]: I’d rather you didn’t tell him
  • 2 [as submodifier] to a certain or significant extent or degree: she’s been behaving rather strangely he’s rather an unpleasant man
  • used before verbs so as to make the expression of a feeling or opinion less assertive: I rather think he wants me to marry him we were rather hoping you might do that for us
  • 3used to suggest that the opposite of a previous statement is the case; on the contrary: [sentence adverb]: There is no shortage of basic skills in the workplace. Rather, the problem is poor management
  • more precisely: I walked, or rather limped, the two miles home
  • instead of; as opposed to: she seemed indifferent rather than angry

exclamation

Pronunciation: /rɑːˈðəː/
British dated
  • used to express emphatic affirmation, agreement, or acceptance: ‘You are glad to be home, aren’t you?’ ‘Rather!’

Phrases

had rather

literary or archaic would rather: I had rather not see him

rather you (or him or her etc.) than me

used to convey that one would be reluctant oneself to undertake a particular task undertaken by someone else: ‘I’m picking him up after lunch.’ ‘Rather you than me.’

Origin:

Old English hrathor 'earlier, sooner', comparative of hræthe 'without delay', from hræth 'prompt' (see rathe)