English language

How to pronounce rather in English?

Toggle Transcript
Type Words
Synonyms preferably, sooner


I'd rather be in Philadelphia.
Type Words
Synonyms kind of, kinda, sort of


it was rather cold.
the party was rather nice.
the knife is rather dull.
I rather regret that I cannot attend.
He's rather good at playing the cello.
Type Words
Synonyms quite
Type Words
Synonyms instead


rather than disappoint the children, he did two quick tricks before he left.
he didn't call; rather (or instead), he wrote her a letter.

Examples of rather

rather
In my view, the inconsistency leaves Missouri in a place it would rather not be.
From the stltoday.com
There's also the fact that they are working with students, rather than soldiers.
From the stltoday.com
Rather, people are returning to their more measured spending habits of the past.
From the stltoday.com
Parker had an open look, but leaned into the shot rather than going straight up.
From the sacbee.com
This is rather unfortunate since most American workers are already overburdened.
From the businessweek.com
Rather, the mayor said he attended the events in his official capacity as mayor.
From the thenewstribune.com
This type of search holds out hope of a cure, rather than simply extending life.
From the online.wsj.com
It is rather absurd to imagine any one of these changes occurring any time soon.
From the online.wsj.com
That, rather than pure pass rushing talent, has always been Hali's calling card.
From the kansas.com
More examples
  • On the contrary; "rather than disappoint the children, he did two quick tricks before he left"; "he didn't call; rather (or instead), he wrote her a letter"; "used English terms instead of Latin ones"
  • To some (great or small) extent; "it was rather cold"; "the party was rather nice"; "the knife is rather dull"; "I rather regret that I cannot attend"; "He's rather good at playing the cello"; "he is kind of shy"
  • Preferably: more readily or willingly; "clean it well, preferably with warm water"; "I'd rather be in Philadelphia"; "I'd sooner die than give up"
  • Quite: to a degree (not used with a negative); "quite tasty"; "quite soon"; "quite ill"; "quite rich"
  • Rather is a family name. It is also an adverb in the English language.
  • To prefer; to prefer to; More quickly; sooner, earlier. [9th-19th c.]; Used to specify a choice or preference; preferably. [from 9th c.]; Used to introduce a contradiction; on the contrary. [from 14th c.]; Introducing a qualification or clarification; more precisely. ...
  • (rathering) Alternative form of rather