rath·er 
/ˈræðɚ, Brit ˈrɑ:ðə/ adverb
/ˈræðɚ, Brit ˈrɑ:ðə/ adverb 1 : to some degree or extent
▪ Yesterday was a rather [=fairly] hot day. ▪ That sounded rather [=quite a bit] like thunder. ▪ a rather [=quite] common flower ▪ It's getting rather [=pretty] late. We'd better get to bed. ▪ The movie is a comedy, but rather a dull one. ▪ a rather [=somewhat] serious condition ▪ I think the children watch rather too much television. ▪ It rather annoyed me that he was late picking me up. — often used to make a statement less forceful ▪ He has been spending rather a lot of money lately. ▪ She rather likes chocolate. ▪ To tell you the truth, I rather think you are wrong. ▪ You're driving rather fast, don't you think? 2 a — used to introduce a statement that indicates what is true after you have said what is not true ▪ I don't like chocolate—rather, I love chocolate. ▪ What matters is not how often you call, but rather what you say. ▪ It wasn't red but rather a shade of bright orange.
b — used to introduce a statement that corrects what you have just said ▪ We can take the car, or rather, the van. ▪ My father, or rather, my stepfather, will be visiting soon. 3 Brit, old-fashioned — used to express agreement ▪ “Wasn't the show fantastic?” “Rather!”
▪ Yesterday was a rather [=fairly] hot day. ▪ That sounded rather [=quite a bit] like thunder. ▪ a rather [=quite] common flower ▪ It's getting rather [=pretty] late. We'd better get to bed. ▪ The movie is a comedy, but rather a dull one. ▪ a rather [=somewhat] serious condition ▪ I think the children watch rather too much television. ▪ It rather annoyed me that he was late picking me up. — often used to make a statement less forceful ▪ He has been spending rather a lot of money lately. ▪ She rather likes chocolate. ▪ To tell you the truth, I rather think you are wrong. ▪ You're driving rather fast, don't you think?
b — used to introduce a statement that corrects what you have just said ▪ We can take the car, or rather, the van. ▪ My father, or rather, my stepfather, will be visiting soon.
rather than 1 : in place of (something or someone) : instead of (something or someone)
▪ He writes at a table rather than a desk. ▪ Why do one thing rather than another? ▪ Rather than using dried herbs, he picked fresh ones from the garden. : and not ▪ She reacted by laughing rather than by getting upset. ▪ He was happy rather than sad. 2 — used to say what is not chosen or done because something else is chosen or done instead ▪ Rather than continue the argument, she walked away. ▪ I chose to sing rather than play an instrument.
▪ He writes at a table rather than a desk. ▪ Why do one thing rather than another? ▪ Rather than using dried herbs, he picked fresh ones from the garden. : and not ▪ She reacted by laughing rather than by getting upset. ▪ He was happy rather than sad.
would rather
— used to indicate what you want or prefer to do, have, etc. ▪ She would rather drive than take the train. ▪ I would rather you didn't tell them. [=I would prefer it if you didn't tell them] ▪ We'd rather go somewhere warm. [=we'd prefer to go somewhere warm] ▪ “If you'd rather, we can go outside.” “No, thanks—I'd rather not.” ▪ Which beach would you rather [=would you like to] go to?
