rather
/ˈɹæðɚ/ adverb A2- Used to specify a choice or preference; preferably, in preference to. (Now usually followed by than) · I'd rather not have spent all the money, but it really was an emergency.· I would like this one rather than the other one.
- Used to introduce a contradiction; on the contrary. · 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.
- Introducing a qualification or clarification; more precisely. (Now usually preceded by or.) · I didn't want to leave. Or rather I did, just not alone.
- Somewhat, quite; to an unexpected degree. · It's been rather/quite a good meal overall, but this melon is rather too tasteless.· We had some rather worse news today.
From the library
Would you rather I didn’t talk?
I should as soon call her mother a wit.’ But afterwards she seemed to improve on you, and I believe you thought her rather pretty at one time.”
“Perhaps not,” replied Danglars; “but I hear that he is ambitious, and that’s rather against him.”
But when the Wolf, day after day, kept in the company of the sheep and did not make the slightest effort to seize them, the Shepherd began to look upon him as a guardian of his flock rather than as a plotter of evil against it; and when occasion called him one day into the city, he left the sheep entirely in his charge.
Other matches
Learn rather in real texts
With a free account, hover any word in the library for its meaning, hear it read aloud, save words for review timed to your memory, and see how much of each book you already know.