/ˈrɑː.ðə/
Translation
Quite; to some degree. It can also mean instead, as in would rather.
Word origin
From Old English hrathor, meaning more quickly or sooner, later meaning more willingly.
- Origin
- Old English
- Root
- hrathor
Examples
.
Here "rather" means "quite", so the film was somewhat long.
.
"Would rather" means you choose one thing instead of another.
.
Here "rather" means "a little" or "to some degree".
Where this fits
Used in
Stories
(1)Grammar articles
(30)Adverb position in English: before the verb, after be, and the just, still and already traps
Advanced articles in English: the zero article, the with names and places, and go to school vs go to the school
Causative have and get in English: have something done, get something done and having someone do it
Cleft sentences in English: it was X who, what I need is, and how to move the emphasis
Comparatives and superlatives in English: the complete guide
Ellipsis and substitution in English: I think so, neither do I, and the words you are allowed to leave out
Emphasis in English: I do like it, my own, the very, and how to push back
For, since, already, yet and still in English: which word, and where it goes in the sentence
Gerund and infinitive: which verb form comes next?
Gradable and ungradable adjectives: why very furious sounds wrong, and which intensifier goes where
English grammar test: 30 questions with answers (A2-B2)
Inversion and word order in English: the subject-verb-object spine and when it flips
Linking words in English: however, although, even though, despite and therefore
Mixed conditionals in English: past causes with present results, and present causes with past results
Modals of deduction in English: must be, might be, could be and can't be
Advanced passive structures in English: the get-passive, it is said that, and passives with two objects
Past continuous tense: was and were plus -ing, and when to use it instead of the past simple
Phrasal verbs in English: what they are, meanings, rules and examples
Prepositions in English: place, time and movement explained
Present continuous tense: form, spelling and uses
Present perfect continuous: have been doing, and how it differs from the present perfect
Present simple tense: rules, examples and when to use it
Quantifiers in English: some, any, much, many and more
Question tags in English: the mirror rule, aren't I, and tags after let's and imperatives
Reporting verbs in English: admit, deny, suggest, promise, and the pattern welded to each one
The subjunctive and the unreal past in English: I suggest he go, if I were you, and it's time we left
Time clauses in English: when, while, as soon as, until, before and after
Verb patterns with objects in English: want somebody to do, make somebody do, and see somebody doing
Wish and if only in English: wish + past, wish + past perfect, wish + would, and why I wish I would is wrong
Word formation with prefixes: un-, in-, im-, dis-, re-, over-, under- and mis-
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Start your free weekThis word is part of lesson 12.