English · Word Candidate

rather

/ˈɹɑː.ðə(ɹ)/

Proposed by a contributor, not yet supported by evidence.

Also seen as: rathers · rathering · rathered

Sense 1

Both English Tiếng Việt

Meaning · English

Used to specify a choice or preference; preferably, in preference to. (Now usually followed by than)

Nghĩa · Tiếng Việt

được dùng để chỉ định sự lựa chọn hoặc ưu tiên

Machine-translated — suggest a fix

Adverb

Examples

I'd rather not have spent all the money, but it really was an emergency.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 2

Both English Tiếng Việt

Meaning · English

Used to introduce a contradiction; on the contrary.

Nghĩa · Tiếng Việt

để giới thiệu một sự trái ngược

Machine-translated — suggest a fix

Adverb

Examples

It wasn't supposed to be popular; rather, it was supposed to get the job done.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 3

Both English Tiếng Việt

Meaning · English

An enthusiastic affirmation.

Nghĩa · Tiếng Việt

một xác nhận nhiệt tình

Machine-translated — suggest a fix

InterjectionRegister: dated

Examples

Would you like some? –Rather!

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 4

Both English Tiếng Việt

Meaning · English

A choice or a preference.

Nghĩa · Tiếng Việt

một lựa chọn hoặc sở thích

Machine-translated — suggest a fix

NounRegister: dated, informal

Examples

If I had my rathers I'd make up my own band. Art Blakey on the skins, Charlie Mingus on the bass, John Coltrane on the sax, Harry Edison on the horn-

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Common questions

What does “rather” mean?

Used to specify a choice or preference; preferably, in preference to. (Now usually followed by than)

Is “rather” formal or informal?

No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.