Rather - Definition

adv 1: 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" [syn: rather,
instead]
2: 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" [syn: rather, kind of,
kinda, sort of]
3: more readily or willingly; "clean it well, preferably with
warm water"; "I'd rather be in Philadelphia"; "I'd sooner die
than give up" [syn: preferably, sooner, rather]
4: to a degree (not used with a negative); "quite tasty"; "quite
soon"; "quite ill"; "quite rich" [syn: quite, rather]