to a fairly high or noticeable degree, but not extremely
The soup is rather salty tonight.
It was rather cold, so James grabbed his coat before leaving the house.
✦ From Old English ‘hrathor’ meaning ‘sooner, more readily’, later evolving to express degree and preference.
used to introduce a correction or a more accurate statement
He was angry—rather, disappointed—when he heard the news.
The book is a biography, or rather, a memoir.
more willingly; preferably
I’d rather stay home tonight.
Would you rather have coffee or tea?
used with “than” to show preference between two things
She chose water rather than soda.
Take the train rather than drive—it’s quicker.
