RATHER | definition in the Cambridge English Dictionary We use rather as a degree adverb (rather cold, rather nice) We also use it to express alternatives and preferences (green rather than blue, coffee rather than tea, slowly rather than quickly) …
Rather - definition of rather by The Free Dictionary 1 relatively or fairly; somewhat: it's rather dull 2 to a significant or noticeable extent; quite: she's rather pretty 3 to a limited extent or degree: I rather thought that was the case 4 with better or more just cause: this text is rather to be deleted than rewritten
rather - Wiktionary, the free dictionary It is used where a plain adjective needs to be modified, but cannot be qualified When spoken, the meaning can vary with the tone of voice and stress
rather - WordReference. com Dictionary of English Both would and had are used with rather in sentences such as I would rather (or had rather) go to the film than to the play Had rather is less common and is now widely regarded as slightly old-fashioned