rather

Meanings

1. 1
   adv

   To a fairly large degree; quite.

   It was rather cold outside this morning.

2. 2
   adv

   Used to show what you prefer or would choose instead.

   I'd rather stay home tonight than go out.

3. 3
   adv

   Used to correct or give a more exact statement; or more precisely.

   It wasn't a mistake; rather, it was done on purpose.

From Middle English rather, from Old English hraþor, comparative of hraþe (“soon, early, fast”). More at rathe. Cognate with Dutch radder (“faster”), comparative of Dutch rad (“fast; quick”), German Low German radd, ratt (“rashly; quickly; hastily”), German gerade (“even; straight; direct”). By surface analysis, rathe + -er.

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