rather

rath·er  (rr, rär)

adv.

1. More readily; preferably: I'd rather go to the movies.

2. With more reason, logic, wisdom, or other justification.

3. More exactly; more accurately: He's my friend, or rather he was my friend.

4. To a certain extent; somewhat: rather cold.

5. On the contrary.

6. (rûr, rä-) Chiefly British Most certainly. Used as an emphatic affirmative reply.

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[Middle English, from Old English hrathor, comparative of hræthe, quickly, soon, from hræth, quick.]

Usage Note: In expressions of preference rather is commonly preceded by would: We would rather rent the house than buy it outright. In formal style, should is sometimes used: I should rather my daughter attended a public school. Sometimes had appears in these constructions, although this use of had seems to be growing less frequent: I had rather work with William than work for him. This usage was once widely criticized as a mistake, the result of a misanalysis of the contraction in sentences such as I'd rather stay. But it is in fact a survival of the subjunctive form had that appears in constructions like had better and had best, as in We had better leave now. This use of had goes back to Middle English and is perfectly acceptable. · Before an unmodified noun only rather a is used: It was rather a disaster. When the noun is preceded by an adjective, however, both rather a and a rather are found: It was rather a boring party. It was a rather boring party. When a rather is used in this construction, rather qualifies only the adjective, whereas with rather a it qualifies either the adjective or the entire noun phrase. Thus a rather long ordeal can mean only "an ordeal that is rather long," whereas rather a long ordeal can also mean roughly "a long process that is something of an ordeal." Rather a is the only possible choice when the adjective itself does not permit modification: The horse was rather a long shot (not The horse was a rather long shot). See Usage Notes at have, should.

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rather [ˈrɑːðə]

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

1. relatively or fairly; somewhat it's rather dull

2. to a significant or noticeable extent; quite she's rather pretty

3. to a limited extent or degree I rather thought that was the case

4. with better or more just cause this text is rather to be deleted than rewritten

5. more readily or willingly; sooner I would rather not see you tomorrow

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!

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

Usage: 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

Thesaurus

Adv.	1.	rather - on the contrary; "rather than disappoint the children, he did two quick tricks before he left"; "he didn't call; rather (or instead), he wrote her a letter"; "used English terms instead of Latin ones" instead
	2.	rather - to some (great or small) extent; "it was rather cold"; "the party was rather nice"; "the knife is rather dull"; "I rather regret that I cannot attend"; "He's rather good at playing the cello"; "he is kind of shy" kind of, kinda, sort of
	3.	rather - more readily or willingly; "clean it well, preferably with warm water"; "I'd rather be in Philadelphia"; "I'd sooner die than give up" preferably, sooner
	4.	rather - to a degree (not used with a negative); "quite tasty"; "quite soon"; "quite ill"; "quite rich" quite

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rather

conjunction

instead of, as opposed to She made students think for themselves, rather than telling them what to think.

adverb

1. preferably, sooner, instead, more readily, more willingly I'd rather stay at home than fight against the holiday crowds.

2. to some extent, quite, sort of (informal), kind of (informal), a little, a bit, pretty (informal), fairly, relatively, somewhat, slightly, moderately, to some degree I'm afraid it's rather a long story.

3. more exactly, to be precise, more precisely, to be exact, strictly speaking He explained what the Crux is, or rather, what it was.

Translations

rather [ˈrɑːðəʳ]

A. ADV

1. (preference) we decided to camp, rather than stay at a hotel → decidimos acampar, en lugar de quedarnos en un hotel
I'll stay rather than go alone → prefiero quedarme a ir solo
I'd rather have this one than that → prefiero éste a aquél
"would you like a sweet?" - "I'd rather have an apple" → -¿quieres un caramelo? -preferiría una manzana
would you rather stay here? → ¿prefieres quedarte?
I'd rather stay in tonight → preferiría no salir esta noche
I'd rather he didn't come to the party → preferiría que no viniera a la fiesta
anything rather than that! (hum) → ¡cualquier cosa menos eso!
play anything rather than that → toca cualquier cosa que no sea eso
I'd rather not → prefiero no hacerlo
I'd rather not say → prefiero no decirlo
"I'm going to have it out with the boss" - "rather you than me!" → -voy a planteárselo al jefe -¡allá tú!

2. (= somewhat) → algo, un poco
he looks rather like his mother → se parece un poco a su madre
I feel rather more happy today → hoy me siento algo más contento
I rather suspected as much → me lo sospechaba
I rather think he won't come → me inclino a creer que no vendrá
that is rather too dear → es algo caro(para mí )

3. (= quite) → bastante
it's a rather difficult task; it's rather a difficult task → es una tarea bastante difícil
we were rather tired → estábamos bastante cansados
I was rather disappointed → quedé bastante decepcionado
he did rather well in the exam → le fue bastante bien en el examen
"isn't she pretty?" - "yes, she is rather" → -¿es guapa, eh? -sí, bastante
"are you keen to go?" - "yes, I am rather" → -¿tienes ganas de ir? -sí que quiero
there's rather a lot → hay bastante
£20! that's rather a lot! → ¡20 libras! ¡es bastante caro!
I've got rather a lot of homework to do → tengo muchos deberes que hacer
it's rather a pity → es una pena or lástima

4. (= more accurately) rather it is a matter of money → antes es cuestión de dinero, es al contrario or más bien cuestión de dinero
or rather → o mejor dicho, es decir
a car, or rather an old banger → un coche, o mejor dicho, un trasto viejo

B. EXCL (o.f.) → ¡ya lo creo!, ¡cómo no!(LAm)
"would you like some?" - "rather!" → ¿quieres algo de esto? - ¡ya lo creo! or ¡por supuesto!

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rather [ˈrɑːðə^r] adv

(= somewhat) → plutôt
It's rather expensive → C'est plutôt cher.
I was rather disappointed → J'étais plutôt déçu.
rather a lot
£20! That's rather a lot! → Vingt livres! C'est plutôt cher!
There is rather a lot to do → Il y a pas mal de choses à faire.
rather a lot of → pas mal de
I've got rather a lot of homework to do → J'ai pas mal de devoirs à faire.

(expressing preference) I would rather (= would prefer) → je préférerais, j'aimerais mieux
I'd rather stay in tonight → Je préférerais rester à la maison ce soir., J'aimerais mieux rester à la maison ce soir.
"Would you like a sweet?" - "I'd rather have an apple." → "Tu veux un bonbon?" - "J'aimerais mieux une pomme.", "Tu veux un bonbon?" - "Je préférerais une pomme."
I'd rather ... than ...
I would rather go than stay → Je préférerais partir plutôt que rester., J'aimerais mieux partir que rester.
Kids would rather play than study → Les enfants préfèrent jouer plutôt que d'étudier., Les enfants aiment mieux jouer qu'étudier.
I'd rather not → j'aimerais mieux pas
I'd rather not ... → j'aimerais mieux ne pas ...
I'd rather not leave → J'aimerais mieux ne pas partir.
I'd rather not say → J'aimerais mieux ne pas le dire.
I'd rather not answer that question → J'aimerais mieux ne pas répondre à cette question.
rather than → plutôt que de
We decided to camp, rather than stay at a hotel → Nous avons décidé de camper plutôt que d'aller à l'hôtel.
I use the bike if I can, rather than the car → Quand je peux, je me sers du vélo plutôt que de la voiture.

(= more accurately) → plutôt
not a circle but rather a spiral → pas un cercle mais plutôt une spirale
or rather → ou plutôt

(expressing an opinion, one's feelings) I rather think (that) ... → je crois bien que ...
I rather think he won't come → Je crois bien qu'il ne viendra pas.
I was rather hoping (that) ... → j'espérais bien que ...

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rather

adv

(= for preference) → lieber; rather than wait, he went away → er ging lieber, als dass er wartete; I would rather have the blue dress → ich hätte lieber das blaue Kleid; I would rather be happy than rich → ich wäre lieber glücklich als reich; I would rather you came yourself → mir wäre es lieber, Sie kämen selbst; I’d rather not → lieber nicht; I’d rather not go → ich würde lieber nicht gehen; I’d rather die! → eher sterbe ich!; he expected me to phone rather than (to) write → er erwartete eher einen Anruf als einen Brief von mir; it would be better to phone rather than (to) write → es wäre besser zu telefonieren als zu schreiben

(= more accurately) → vielmehr; he is, or rather was, a soldier → er ist, beziehungsweise or vielmehr war, Soldat; a car, or rather an old banger → ein Auto, genauer gesagt eine alte Kiste

(= to a considerable degree) → ziemlich; (= somewhat, slightly) → etwas; he’s a rather clever person or rather a clever person → er ist ziemlich klug; he felt rather better → er fühlte sich bedeutend wohler; it’s rather more difficult than you think → es ist um einiges schwieriger, als du denkst; it’s rather too difficult for me → es ist etwas zu schwierig für mich; she’s rather an idiot/a killjoy → sie ist reichlich doof/ein richtiger Spielverderber; I rather think he’s wrong → ich glaube fast, er hat unrecht; I’ve rather got the impression … → ich habe ganz den Eindruck, …; rather! (inf) → und ob! (inf), → klar! (inf)

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rather [ˈrɑːðəʳ]

1. adv

a. (preference) → piuttosto
rather than wait, she ... → piuttosto che aspettare, lei...
I'd rather have this one than that → preferirei avere questo piuttosto che quello
would you rather stay here? → preferisci rimanere qui?
I'd rather you didn't come → preferirei che tu non venissi
I'd rather not → preferirei di no
I'd rather not come → preferirei non venire
I would or I'd rather go → preferirei andare

b. (to a considerable degree) → piuttosto; (somewhat) → abbastanza; (to some extent) → un po'
it's rather expensive (quite) → è piuttosto caro (excessively) → è un po' troppo caro
there's rather a lot → ce n'è parecchio
a rather difficult task → un compito piuttosto difficile
I feel rather more happy today → oggi mi sento molto più contento
it's rather a pity → è proprio or davvero un peccato

c. or rather (more accurately) → anzi, per essere (più) precisi

2. excl → eccome!

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rather [ˈrɑːðəʳ]

1. adv

a. (preference) → piuttosto
rather than wait, she ... → piuttosto che aspettare, lei...
I'd rather have this one than that → preferirei avere questo piuttosto che quello
would you rather stay here? → preferisci rimanere qui?
I'd rather you didn't come → preferirei che tu non venissi
I'd rather not → preferirei di no
I'd rather not come → preferirei non venire
I would or I'd rather go → preferirei andare

b. (to a considerable degree) → piuttosto; (somewhat) → abbastanza; (to some extent) → un po'
it's rather expensive (quite) → è piuttosto caro (excessively) → è un po' troppo caro
there's rather a lot → ce n'è parecchio
a rather difficult task → un compito piuttosto difficile
I feel rather more happy today → oggi mi sento molto più contento
it's rather a pity → è proprio or davvero un peccato

c. or rather (more accurately) → anzi, per essere (più) precisi

2. excl → eccome!

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rather

adv rather [ˈraːθə]

1 to a certain extent; slightly; a little He's rather nice; That's a rather silly question / rather a silly question; I've eaten rather more than I should have. nogal إلى حَدٍ ما по-скоро dosti, spíše ret; temmelig ziemlich μάλλον bastante; más bien, un tanto, un poco, algo üsna نسبتا melko plutôt, un peu בְּמִידַת מָה बल्कि štoviše, zapravo meglehetősen agak fremur, frekar piuttosto, un po' どちらかといえば 어느 정도까지 gana, šiek tiek visai; diezgan agak tamelijk ganske, nokså, temmelig dość um tanto mai degra­bă; un pic довольно, несколько dosť dokaj malo ganska, [] nästan [] ค่อนข้าง oldukça, biraz, az çok 相當，稍微 дещо, досить بڑی حد تک khá 相当，有点儿

2 more willingly; preferably I'd rather do it now than later; Can we do it now rather than tomorrow?; I'd rather not do it at all; I would/had rather you didn't do that; Wouldn't you rather have this one?; I'd resign rather than do that. voor, eerder يُفَضِّل по-добре spíše, raději hellere; i stedet for lieber καλύτερα antes que, mejor... que... pigem ترجیحا؛ با میل بیشتر mieluummin plutôt (que) מַעדִיף तुलनात्मक अर्थ में radije inkább, szívesebben lebih suka frekar, fremur piuttosto (～よりは)むしろ 오히려 verčiau, geriau, greičiau labāk; drīzāk lebih suka liever heller, snarere raczej antes que mai degrabă (decât) охотнее, предпочтительнее skôr, radšej raje radije hellre, helst มากกว่า ...-den ziyade, ...-mektense 寧可 краще, охочіше ترجیحاً thà; thích hơn, chứ không 宁可

3 more exactly; more correctly He agreed, or rather he didn't disagree; One could say he was foolish rather than wicked. in plaas van, eerder as على الأصَح по-точно spíše snarere end besser gesagt μάλλον, για την ακρίβεια más bien, para ser más precisos õieti, pigemini به عبارت دیگر oikeastaan plutôt (que) לְיֶתֶר דִיוּק वास्तव में, दरअसल bolje rečeno, prije helyesebben; semmint; ahelyett, hogy lebih tepatnya fremur/heldur/frekar en piuttosto もっと正しくは 더 적절하게 말하자면 tiksliau sakant, tikriau precīzāk []; drīzāk lebih tepat liever, eerder (eller) snarere właściwie, ściślej mówiąc, raczej (niż) antes (que) mai degrabă (decât) скорее, вернее skôr prej (kot) pre nego snarare, snarast, rättare sagt ถ้าจะพูดให้ถูก daha doğrusu, (şöyle) demek daha iyi olacak 更確切地說 скоріше, правильніше اس کے برعکس đúng ra 更确切地，更正确地

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rather → إلى حد ما poněkud hellere ziemlich μάλλον algo aika plutôt radije piuttosto かなり 상당히 liever heller raczej bastante, um tanto скорее hellre ค่อนข้าง oldukça khá 宁愿