Did you know?

Click any word in a definition or example to find the entry for that word

rather

 - definition
Close

What are red words?

90% of the time, speakers of English use just 7,500 words in speech and writing. These words appear in red, and are graded with stars. One-star words are frequent, two-star words are more frequent, and three-star words are the most frequent.

Close

Thesaurus

The thesaurus of synonyms and related words is fully integrated into the dictionary entries. Click on the T button in an entry to review the synonyms and related words for that meaning.

more
adverb, predeterminer American English pronunciation: rather /ˈræðər/
Rather can be used in the following ways:
as an adverb (before an adjective or another adverb): I’m feeling rather tired. ♦ She’s been treated rather badly. (before a verb): He rather enjoys telling other people what to do.
as a predeterminer (followed by “a”): This is rather a good wine.
in the conjunction phrase rather than: It would be better to make a decision now, rather than leave it until later.
as a way of showing how a sentence is connected to what has already been said: His purpose was not so much to attack his rivals. Rather, it was to defend his own position.
 

Related dictionary definitions

  1. 1
    to a fairly large degree

    I realize that I’ve been rather stupid and selfish.

    Matt left rather suddenly without any explanation.

    He was rather a handsome boy.

    rather more/better/worse/bigger etc.:

    The problem is rather more complicated than we had expected.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of  ratherThesaurus entry for this meaning of rather
    1. a.
      mainly spoken a little too much, or to a degree that is slightly too great

      Don’t you think she’s rather young to be traveling abroad on her own?

      It’s a good essay, but rather long.

      Thesaurus entry for this meaning of  ratherThesaurus entry for this meaning of rather
  2. 2
    used for introducing a true statement after saying that another statement is not true

    The purpose of Paxton’s book was not to make accusations. Rather, it was to provide information on which accusations might be based.

    Our goal was not to punish the rich, but rather to bring justice to the poor.

  3. 3
    used for correcting what you have just said
    or rather:

    He couldn’t help us, or rather he didn’t want to.

    Who is Fred anyway, or rather who was he?

  4. 4
    British informal old-fashioned used for showing that you are very willing to do what someone has suggested

    “You’re coming to swim with us, Uncle Phil, aren’t you?” “Rather!”

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of  ratherThesaurus entry for this meaning of rather

phrases

This is the American English definition of rather. View British English definition of rather.

Change your default dictionary and thesaurus to British English.

 

vocal fry

a speech habit in which a speaker lowers their voice at the end of a sentence

BuzzWord Article

Word of the Day Word of the Day

zeugma

the use of a word twice in the same sentence but with different meanings. The sentence ‘She...

Open Dictionary

conflict mineral

a mineral which is mined in a place where there is armed conflict, and sold to help pay for weapons

add a word

Blog

A must for anyone with an interest in the changing face of language. The Macmillan Dictionary blog explores English as it is spoken around the world today.

global English and language change from our blog