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   rather

   /ˈrɑːðə/

   adverb

   • 1. used to indicate one's preference in a particular matter: "would you like some wine or would you rather stick to sherry?" Similar by preferencesoonerpreferablyfrom/by choicemore willinglymore readilyif I had my druthers
   • ▪ used to express a recommended alternative, but without a than clause and used with verbs other than would; instead: South African "this opens up a whole can of worms that should rather be left shut"
   • 2. to a certain or significant extent or degree: "she's been behaving rather strangely" Similar quitea bita littlefairlyslightlysomewhatrelativelyto some degree/extentcomparativelymoderatelyinformal:prettysort ofkind ofkindaish
   • ▪ 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"
   • 3. 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"
   • ▪ more precisely: "I walked, or rather limped, the two miles home" Similar more preciselyto be preciseto be exactstrictly speakingcorrectly speaking
   • ▪ instead of; as opposed to: "she seemed indifferent rather than angry" Similar moremore trulyas opposed toinstead ofon the contraryquite the oppositeinstead

   exclamation

   • 1. used to express emphatic affirmation, agreement, or acceptance: dated British "‘You are glad to be home, aren't you?’ ‘Rather!’"

   Word Origin Old Englishhrathor ‘earlier, sooner’, comparative of hræthe ‘without delay’, from hræth ‘prompt’ (see rathe).

   Scrabble Points: 9

   • R

     1

   • A

     1

   • T

     1

   • H

     4

   • E

     1

   • R

     1

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