ra ‧ ther S1 W1 /ˈrɑːðə $ ˈræðər/ BrE AmE predeterminer , adverb
[ Language: Old English ; Origin: hrathor 'more quickly' ]
1 . fairly or to some degree:
I was rather surprised to see him with his ex-wife.
He was limping rather badly.
My own position is rather different.
Abigail’s always been rather a difficult child. British English
Isn’t it rather late (=a little too late) to start changing all the arrangements?
Actually I rather like the new style of architecture. British English
It was a nice house, but rather too small for a family of four. British English
The task proved to be rather more difficult than I had expected. British English
2 . would rather used to say that you would prefer to do or have something:
I’d rather have a quiet night in front of the TV.
We could eat later if you would rather do that.
‘I think you’d better ask her.’ ‘I’d rather not (=I do not want to) .’
would rather ... than ...
I’d rather die than apologize to Helen.
I’d rather you didn’t go out alone (=I do not want you to go) .
3 . rather than instead of:
I think you’d call it a lecture rather than a talk.
Rather than go straight on to university why not get some work experience first?
Bryson decided to quit rather than accept the new rules.
4 . or rather used before correcting something that you have said, or giving more specific information:
We all went in Vic’s car, or rather his father’s.
5 . not ... but rather ... used to say that one thing is not true but a different thing is true:
The problem is not their lack of funding, but rather their lack of planning.
6 . rather you/him/her/them than me spoken used to say that you are glad that you are not going to be doing something that someone else will be doing
7 . Rather! British English spoken old-fashioned used to agree with someone
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THESAURUS
▪ rather/quite especially British English more than a little, but less than very. British people often use these words before adjectives in conversation. In many cases they do not intend to change the meaning – it is just something that people say:
She seemed rather unhappy.
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It's rather a difficult question.
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It’s getting quite late.
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Malaria is rather common in this area.
▪ fairly rather. Fairly is used in both British and American English:
The test was fairly easy.
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It’s a fairly long way to the next town.
▪ pretty spoken rather. Pretty is more informal than the other words and is used in spoken English:
Her French is pretty good.
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We’re in a pretty strong position.
▪ reasonably to a satisfactory level or degree:
He plays reasonably well.
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Let's just say that I am reasonably confident we'll win.
▪ moderately formal more than a little, but not very:
Her family was moderately wealthy.
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The food was moderately good, but not as good as the food in the other restaurants.
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Use a moderately high heat.
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a moderately difficult climb
▪ somewhat formal fairly or to a small degree. Somewhat is used especially when talking about the size or degree of something. It is often used in comparatives:
The celebrations were somewhat larger than last year’s.
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He looked somewhat irritated.
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a somewhat surprising decision