Would–rather
in a measure; to a certain extent; somewhat:
rather good.
in some degree:
i rather thought you would regret it.
more properly or justly; with better reason:
the contrary is rather to be supposed.
sooner; more readily or willingly:
to die rather than yield.
more properly or correctly speaking; more truly:
he is a painter or, rather, a watercolorist.
on the contrary:
it’s not generosity, rather self-interest.
rather than, instead of: tutoring is provided by older students rather than teachers.
rather than complain, you should try to make changes.
chiefly british. emphatically yes; -ssuredly; without doubt:
is the book worth reading?rather!
had / would rather, to prefer that or to:
i had much rather we not stay. we would rather go for dinner after the show.
contemporary examples
princess charlene’s monaco nightmare tom sykes september 14, 2014
does israel make us safer? thaddeus russell july 3, 2010
ordinary monsters richard cohen december 10, 2008
teen hostage horror lynn waddell september 23, 2010
cowards sank the deficit plan john avlon december 2, 2010
historical examples
the maidens’ lodge emily sarah holt
days off henry van dyk-
lover or friend rosa nouchette carey
stanford stories charles k. field
an old english home s. baring-gould
adverb (in senses 1-4, not used with a negative)
relatively or fairly; somewhat: it’s rather dull
to a significant or noticeable extent; quite: she’s rather pretty
to a limited extent or degree: i rather thought that was the case
with better or more just cause: this text is rather to be deleted than rewritten
more readily or willingly; sooner: i would rather not see you tomorrow
sentence connector
on the contrary: it’s not cold. rather, it’s very hot indeed
sentence subst-tute (ˈrɑːˈðɜː)
an expression of strong affirmation, often in answer to a question: is it worth seeing? rather!
adv.
the rather lambes bene starved with cold
[spenser, “the shepheardes calender” (februarie), 1579]
prefer to, as in we would rather eat dinner before the movie. [ mid-1500s ]
see: had rather
Read Also:
- Would-that
i wish that, as in would that i could stop working and go hiking with you . for a synonym, see if only
- Would-s
weld2 . verb takes an infinitive without to or an implied infinitive used as an auxiliary to form the past tense or subjunctive mood of will1 with you, he, she, it, they, or a noun as subject. used as an auxiliary to indicate willingness or desire in a polite manner: would you help me, please? […]
- Wouldst
2nd person singular past of will1 . am (is, are, etc.) about or going to: i will be there tomorrow. she will see you at dinner. am (is, are, etc.) disposed or willing to: people will do right. am (is, are, etc.) expected or required to: you will report to the princ-p-l at once. may […]
- Woulded
a simple past tense and past participle of will1 . (used to express the future in past sentences): he said he would go tomorrow. (used in place of will, to make a statement or form a question less direct or blunt): that would scarcely be fair. would you be so kind? (used to express repeated […]
- Wouldn-t-dream-of
also, not dream of. not occur to one, not consider, as in even if it were lying open on my desk, i wouldn’t dream of reading another person’s letter. this expression uses dream of in the sense of “remotely think of.” [ first half of 1500s ]