rather
adverb
[ ˈrɑːðə ]
• used to indicate one's preference in a particular matter.
• "would you like some wine or would you rather stick to sherry?"
Similar:
by preference,
sooner,
preferably,
from/by choice,
more willingly,
more readily,
if I had my druthers,
• to a certain or significant extent or degree.
• "she's been behaving rather strangely"
Similar:
quite,
a bit,
a little,
fairly,
slightly,
somewhat,
relatively,
to some degree/extent,
comparatively,
moderately,
pretty,
sort of,
kind of,
kinda,
ish,
• used to suggest that the opposite of a previous statement is the case; on the contrary.
• "There is no shortage of basic skills in the workplace. Rather, the problem is poor management"
rather
exclamation
• used to express emphatic affirmation, agreement, or acceptance.
• "‘You are glad to be home, aren't you?’ ‘Rather!’"
Origin:
Old English hrathor ‘earlier, sooner’, comparative of hræthe ‘without delay’, from hræth ‘prompt’ (see rathe).
