American Dictionary
Definition rather in American English
rather
adverb, predeterminer
What are red words?
Around 90% of spoken and written English relies on just 7,500 common words.
These words are highlighted in red and are ranked using a star system.
- One-star words are commonly used
- Two-star words are even more common
- Three-star words are the most frequently used
adverb, predeterminer
What are red words?
Around 90% of spoken and written English relies on just 7,500 common words.These words are highlighted in red and are ranked using a star system.
- One-star words are commonly used
- Two-star words are even more common
- Three-star words are the most frequently used
Rather can be used in the following ways:
as an adverb (before an adjective or another adverb): I’m feeling rather tired.She’s been treated rather badly. (before a verb): He rather enjoys telling other people what to do.
as a predeterminer (followed by “a”): This is rather a good wine.
in the conjunction phrase rather than: It would be better to make a decision now, rather than leave it until later.
as a way of showing how a sentence is connected to what has already been said: His purpose was not so much to attack his rivals. Rather, it was to defend his own position.
Matt left rather suddenly without any explanation.
The problem is rather more complicated than we had expected.
The purpose of Paxton's book was not to make accusations. Rather, it was to provide information on which accusations might be based.
used for correcting what you have just said
Who is Fred anyway, or rather who was he?
