Definition of "rather" in 英语

adverb

1. Used to specify a choice or preference; preferably, in preference to. (Now usually followed by than)

   • I'd rather not have spent all the money, but it really was an emergency.
   • I would like this one rather than the other one.
   • I s'pose we'd better clean the kitchen, but we had much rather not do anything right now.
   • Tomorrow's impossible. We'd rather you came next weekend.
   • They'd rather've spent the money on a holiday.

2. (conjunctive) Used to introduce a contradiction; on the contrary.

   • It wasn't supposed to be popular; rather, it was supposed to get the job done.
   • She didn't go along, but rather went home instead.

3. (conjunctive) Introducing a qualification or clarification; more precisely. (Now usually preceded by or.)

   • 1898, J. A. Hamilton, "Stanley, Edward George Geoffrey Smith", in Sidney Lee (Ed.), Dictionary of National Biography, Volume LIV: Stanhope–Stovin, The MacMillan Company, page 60, His ‘Iliad’ is spirited and polished, and, though often rather a paraphrase than a translation, is always more truly poetic than most of the best translations.
   • I didn't want to leave. Or rather I did, just not alone.

4. (degree) Somewhat, quite; to an unexpected degree.

   • It's been rather/quite a good meal overall, but this melon is rather too tasteless.
   • We had some rather worse news today.
   • We’ll be seeing rather a lot of you over the next few days.
   • I'd rather like a cup of tea. - Oh, would you? I'd rather have a mug of beer.

5. (obsolete) More quickly.

adjective

1. (obsolete) Prior; earlier; former.

   • Now no man dwelleth at the rather town of Damietta.

interjection

1. (England, dated) An enthusiastic affirmation.

   • Would you like some? –Rather!

noun

1. (informal, dated, uncommon) A choice or a preference.

verb

1. (nonstandard or dialectal) To prefer; to prefer to.

   • You'd rather us be dead.