Definition Synonyms
Definition of rather - Reverso English Dictionary
Adverb
1.
preferencepreferably or instead
- I would rather go to the movies..
2.
degreeUK indicates a degree of extentUK
- The movie was rather interesting.
3.
accuracymore accurately or correctly
- He's my brother, or rather, my stepbrother..
4.
languageintroduces a contradiction or correction
- He is not lazy, rather he is very efficient.
Adjective
1.
degreeUK to a certain extent or degreeUK
- The movie was rather interesting, but not amazing.
2.
obsoleteDated prior or earlier in timeDated
- The rather king was known for his wisdom.
Expressions with rather
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seems suspicious or not quite right
He refused to show receipts; it smells rather fishy.
describe something with unpredictable success or failure
It's all rather hit-or-miss whether the plan will work.
in the fairly near future
We need to finish the project sooner rather than later.
experience low energy or vitality
After the long hike, I felt rather flat.
easily annoyed or sensitive about a topic
She is rather prickly about that subject in meetings.
I would not want to do that
If you have to clean the toilet, rather you than me.
no longer relevant or important
We missed the deadline, so that's rather academic now.
not within someone's usual area of expertise
Ask Dr. Lee about taxes? That's rather off her beat.
having limited room or space available
The small apartment was rather pushed for space.
large amount or number of something
There was rather a lot to do before the party.
somewhat big in size or extent
The house was rather large for a single person.
suggests replacing one thing with another
Use honey rather than sugar.
expressing contentment with the current place or situation
At the beach with friends, there's nowhere I'd rather be.
express preference for one option over another
I would rather stay home tonight.
polite way to refuse doing something suggested by another person
"Do you want to drive?" "I'd rather not."
expresses strong dislike or dread for a task
I would rather die than speak in public.
feeling happiest or most satisfied in the current place
With my friends here, there's nowhere I would rather be!
introduces a correction to a previous statement
I think it's blue, or rather, a shade of blue.
appearing old-fashioned or conservative in manner
Her rather tweedy approach made her seem out of touch.
feel happiest or most satisfied in this place or situation
There is nowhere I would rather be than here with you.
inconsistent and unreliable in quality or outcome
The project's results were all rather hit-and-miss.
seems unrealistic and not based on solid facts
The plan seems rather airy-fairy and unlikely to work.
phrase showing a strong preference for one choice over another
I would much rather stay home than go to the crowded party.
prefer to do something
I had rather stay home tonight..
Origin of rather
Old English, hrathor (more quickly)
Terms with rather included in their meaning
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frequency
occasionally rather than all the time
movement
the action of walking rather than running
generality
general rather than detailed
charity
given freely rather than purchased
touch
soft and mild rather than hard or severe
humor
playful talk or behavior meant to amuse rather than be serious
hand-operated
operated by hand rather than automatically
countryside related
relating to the countryside rather than the city
orientation
oriented up and down rather than sideways
online
operating online rather than physically present
test
involving writing rather than practical tasks
finance
in the form of physical money rather than checks or credit
work style
work independently rather than being employed by someone else
recreation
casual race organized for enjoyment rather than competition
decisive doer
someone who prefers doing things rather than thinking or talking about them
transportation
train designed to carry people rather than goods
leisure activity
cruise intended for enjoyment rather than travel
oral communication
language expressed through speech rather than writing
location
located on solid ground rather than on water or in air
figurative
person noticed mainly for good looks rather than abilities
materials
made from true animal skin material rather than plastic or fake substitutes
time
occurring during the day rather than at night
slope
gradual rather than steep or sudden
reasoning
not concrete, based on thought rather than practical action
Examples of rather in a sentence
He'd rather read a book than watch TV. The book was rather dull. He was rather pleased with the results. The painting is a replica, or rather, a very good imitation. He is a friend, or rather, an acquaintance from work. She didn't fail, rather she learned a lot from the experience.
It's not a small house, rather it's quite spacious. The weather was rather chilly for a summer day. Her performance was rather good, but not outstanding. The rather prince was admired for his leadership. Historians wrote about the rather queen's reign.
View all translations of rather
Click below to see the appropriate translations facing each meaning.
- French:plutôt, précédent, ...
- German:lieber, etwas, ...
- Italian:preferibilmente, precedente, ...
- Spanish:preferiblemente, antiguo, ...
- Portuguese:antes, um pouco, ...
- Chinese:宁愿, 有点, ...
- Japanese:むしろ, 以前の, ...
- Arabic:بِالأَحْرَى, يصف شيئا بدرجة معينة, ...
- Hebrew:בִּמְקוֹם, בְּמִידָה מְסוּיֶּמֶת, ...
- Russian:предпочтительно, прежний, ...
- Ukrainian:швидше, трохи, ...
- Hindi:बेहतर, प्राचीन, ...
Definition of rathe - Reverso English Dictionary
Adjective
1.
early growthRare UK ripening or blooming early in the seasonRare UK
- The rathe flowers appeared before the first frost.
2.
eagernessRare UK eager or prompt in actionRare UK
- His rathe response to the call was commendable.
Origin of rathe
Old English, hræth (quickly)
Examples of rathe in a sentence
Gardeners admired the rathe blossoms in March. Her rathe acceptance of the offer surprised everyone. The rathe arrival of spring lifted our spirits.
View all translations of rathe
Click below to see the appropriate translations facing each meaning.
- French:précoce, prompt, ...
- German:früh, eifrig, ...
- Italian:precoce, pronto, ...
- Spanish:temprano, rápido, ...
- Portuguese:precoce, pronto, ...
- Chinese:早熟的, 迅速的, ...
- Japanese:早咲きの, 迅速な, ...
- Arabic:مُبَكِّر الإزْهار, حريص, ...
- Hebrew:מֻקְדָּם, זָרִיז, ...
- Russian:ранний, быстрый, ...
- Ukrainian:ранній, швидкий, ...
- Hindi:प्रारंभिक, तत्पर, ...
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