verb
definition
To prefer; to prefer to.
adjective
definition
Prior; earlier; former.
adverb
definition
More quickly; sooner, earlier.
definition
Used to specify a choice or preference; preferably, in preference to. (Now usually followed by than)
example
I'd like this one rather than the other one.
definition
Used to introduce a contradiction; on the contrary.
example
It wasn't supposed to be popular; rather, it was supposed to get the job done.
definition
Introducing a qualification or clarification; more precisely. (Now usually preceded by or.)
example
I didn't want to leave. Or rather I did, just not alone.
definition
(degree) Somewhat, fairly.
example
This melon is rather tasteless, especially compared to the one we had last time.
interjection
definition
An enthusiastic affirmation.
example
"Would you like some?" -- "Rather!"
Examples of rather in a Sentence
No, if one of us has to get snowed in up here, I'd rather it was me.
Thanks, but I'd rather go alone.
I ignored her question rather than lie.
Maybe he'd rather listen than talk.
It's a subject I'd rather not discuss.
But if you'd rather take them off, go ahead.
Sometimes I think you'd rather eat me than talk to me.
I'd rather not make a fool out of myself.
Rather, he'd done the decent thing and spared her further heartache.
He won't lose his mate, even if he chooses to kill her rather than give her up.
Rather, it is an acknowledgement of progress made.
I'd rather not talk about it.
His hair was brown rather than white-blond, his beautiful eyes deep set and large.
His voice was quiet and confident, and she felt like a visitor in his throne room rather than a woman talking to a stranger chained to her basement wall.
She may be using you, but I have no doubt I'd rather be in your position right now than Mr. Fitzgerald's—the wrath of an angry woman is something to behold!
He decided that he would rather wash himself with water in the barn.
He didn't respond, and she thought it best to direct her energy to walking rather than talking.
Even as the idea occurred that she would rather have this room, she knew she couldn't ask.
I figured she might as well come back here rather than get messed up with the authorities again.
Talon stumbled, and Dusty froze rather than pounced, his head whipping around.
Thanks to Jenner, Nelmes, Blossom, and Phipps (which sounds like a rather odd law firm), today we have the word "vaccine."
Belle, our dog, my other companion, was old and lazy and liked to sleep by the open fire rather than to romp with me.
I say, beware of all enterprises that require new clothes, and not rather a new wearer of clothes.
Unless you have someone you'd rather take?
Rather, that something else was wrong.
Rather than love, than money, than fame, give me truth.
I'd rather be back in California.
When the crowd collected round him he seemed confused, but at the demand of the tall lad who had pushed his way up to him, he began in a rather tremulous voice to read the sheet from the beginning.
The count came waddling in to see his wife with a rather guilty look as usual.
Rather than incite her, it left her sleepy.
It rather sounds like an airport paperback.
That rather covers all the bases, doesn't it?
Rather, no one remained.
I'd rather just buy some chicks and put them under her.
Rather, he magically appeared at the Sanctuary.
But we dropped into this adventure rather unexpectedly.
Let us rather read the Epistles and Gospels.
But he also knew (or rather felt at the bottom of his heart) that by resigning himself now to the force of circumstances and to those who were guiding him, he was not only doing nothing wrong, but was doing something very important--more important than anything he had ever done in his life.
If it does, wouldn't you rather take a chance to owe me than be in debt to Darkyn?
When she fell silent, he appeared thoughtful rather than surprised.
I happen to be an Immortal rather than a human, he said gently.
Rather than continue to distress you all, why don't you take me to Rhyn, angel?
Rather than dread at what lie ahead of him, he felt nothing but anger.
It resembled a doctor's waiting room rather than any police station she'd seen.
Now Hannah sounded bored rather than concerned.
Despite Hannah's criticisms, she would still rather be here than at her apartment, even knowing Hannah would never believe her story about Toby and the death dealer.
Who would you rather see her with, Kris or me?
He'd still rather be humoring Sasha and eating his oranges than sitting in the damned cell!
The geometric shapes changed as they circled her neck rather than stuck to a pattern; she assumed it was some kind of writing.
He didn't give a damn about her, and he sounded as if he'd rather she jump from a cliff than bother him.