rather — to a certain or significant extent or degree
Part of speech: ADVERB
Definition: to a certain or significant extent or degree
Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈræðər/
Example Sentences
- The pizza was rather expensive, but I'd rather eat cardboard than cook tonight.
- She's rather good at math, or rather, she's a human calculator.
- I would rather study English than watch boring TV shows.
rather
ADVERB[/ˈræðər/]
to a certain or significant extent or degree
Used to express preference between two alternatives.
The father looks rather weary as he tries to gather his family.
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🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
From Old English 'hraþor', the comparative form of 'hræth' meaning 'quick' or 'soon'. The word evolved through Middle English to mean 'sooner' and later shifted to mean 'instead' and 'to a certain degree'.
Breakdown
rathe (archaic: early, soon) + -er (comparative suffix) = rather (more soon/early → to a certain extent)
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“The pizza was rather expensive, but I'd rather eat cardboard than cook tonight.”
“She's rather good at math, or rather, she's a human calculator.”
“I would rather study English than watch boring TV shows.”
“The weather is rather cold today, so I'd rather hibernate like a bear.”
📚Related Words
Synonyms
Antonyms
Related
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