Rather Definition & Meaning
rather
- adverb
- on the contrary; "rather than disappoint the children, he did two quick tricks before he left"; "he didn't call; rather (or instead), he wrote her a letter"; "used English terms instead of Latin ones"
- to some (great or small) extent; "it was rather cold"; "the party was rather nice"; "the knife is rather dull"; "I rather regret that I cannot attend"; "He's rather good at playing the cello"; "he is kind of shy"
- more readily or willingly; "clean it well, preferably with warm water"; "I'd rather be in Philadelphia"; "I'd sooner die than give up"
- to a degree (not used with a negative); "quite tasty"; "quite soon"; "quite ill"; "quite rich"
"Rather" in song lyrics
See how rather is used in real songs:
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"And to tell the truth, I would rather"
Color Changin Click — Me & My Money -
"Is big enough to cover up this blood, sweat, I'd rather"
Drapht — Who Am I -
"But rather"
Knoc-turn'al f/ Nate Dogg, Shade Sheist, Warren G, Xzibit — Str8 West Coast (Remix)
Words that rhyme with rather
Usage tips for "rather"
Understanding the precise definition of a word helps you use it with confidence. When using "rather" in your writing, consider whether you need the word itself or one of its synonyms — subtle differences in meaning can change the tone of a sentence. If you're writing poetry or song lyrics, check the rhymes for rather to find words that pair well.
Use "rather" in a verse
Now that you know what "rather" means, try using it in your own lyrics:
Generate a verse