rather

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Contents 1 English 1.1 Etymology 1.2 Pronunciation 1.3 Adverb 1.3.1 Usage notes 1.3.2 Synonyms 1.3.3 Antonyms 1.3.4 Translations

[edit] English

[edit] Etymology

Comparative of rathe.

[edit] Pronunciation

• (UK) enPR: räth'ə(r), IPA: /ˈɹɑːðə/, SAMPA: /"r\A:D@(r)/

  Rhymes: -ɑːðə(r)

• (US) enPR: răth'ər, IPA: /ˈɹæðɚ/, SAMPA: /"r\{D@`/
•  Audio (US)^{help, file}

  Rhymes: -æðə(r)

• Hyphenation: rath‧er

[edit] Adverb

rather (not comparable)

1. (obsolete) More quickly; sooner, earlier. [9th-19th c.]
2. Used to specify a choice or preference; preferably. [from 9th c.]

   I'd rather stay in all day than go out with them.

   I'd like this one rather than the other one.

   I'd rather be with you.

3. (conjunctive) Used to introduce a contradiction; on the contrary. [from 14th c.]

   It wasn't supposed to be popular; rather, it was supposed to get the job done.

   She didn't go along, but rather went home instead.

4. (conjunctive) to introduce a qualification or clarification; more precisely. (Now usually preceded by or.) [from 15th c.]
   • 1898, J. A. Hamilton, "Stanley, Edward George Geoffrey Smith", in Sidney Lee (Ed.), Dictionary of National Biography, Volume LIV: Stanhope–Stovin, The MacMillan Company, page 60,

     His ‘Iliad’ is spirited and polished, and, though often rather a paraphrase than a translation, is always more truly poetic than most of the best translations.

   I didn't want to leave. Or rather I did, just not alone.

5. (degree) Somewhat, fairly. [from 16th c.]

   This melon is rather tasteless.

   This melon is rather tasteless, especially compared to the one we had last time.

[edit] Usage notes

• (somewhat): This is a non-descriptive qualifier, similar to quite and fairly and somewhat. It is used where a plain adjective needs to be modified, but cannot be qualified. When spoken, the meaning can vary with the tone of voice and stress. "He was rather big" can mean anything from "not small" to "huge" (meiosis with the stress on rather).

[edit] Synonyms

• somewhat, fairly, quite

[edit] Antonyms

• (somewhat): utterly

[edit] Translations