adverb
UK /ˈrɑː.ðər/ US /ˈræð.ɚ/rather adverb (SMALL AMOUNT)
B1 quite; to a slight degree:It's rather cold today, isn't it?That's rather a difficult book - here's an easier one for you.The train was rather too crowded for a comfortable journey.She answered the phone rather sleepily.I rather doubt I'll be able to come to your party.

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rather adverb (MORE EXACTLY)
B2 more accurately; more exactly:She'll fly to California on Thursday, or rather, she will if she has to.He's my sister's friend really, rather than mine.› used to express an opposite opinion:The ending of the war is not a cause for celebration, but rather for regret that it ever happened.No, I'm not tired. Rather the opposite in fact.

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rather adverb (PREFERENCE)
rather thanB1 instead of; used especially when you prefer one thing to another:I think I'd like to stay at home this evening rather than go out.

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ratheradverb, predeterminer
UK /ˈrɑː.ðər/ US /ˈræð.ɚ/Grammar
ratherexclamation
UK /ˌrɑːˈðɜːr/ US /ˌræðˈɝː/ UK old-fashionedGrammar