Rather

Part of speech: adverb

Pronunciation: /ˈɹɑː.ðə(ɹ)/

Definitions

1. To some degree or extent, expressing a preference among alternatives, and indicating a contrast or correction in reasoning
2. Used for indicating an intermediate degree or amount ; expressing a choice in favor of one option over another ; serving to introduce an alternative viewpoint or correction
3. Denotes a moderate amount or measure ; highlights a favored option when compared with another ; points out a contrast or adjustment in a statement

Etymology: The most surprising thing about "rather" is that it once meant "sooner" in the sense of "more quickly." Its Old English ancestor, "hraþor," was the comparative of "hraþe," meaning "soon, early, fast," so the original idea was of doing something earlier or faster than the alternative. A sense of preference grew naturally from that: if you would sooner do one thing than another, you would rather do it. The word's family tree shows the same quickness. Its Dutch cousin "radder" still means "faster," and German "gerade," now meaning "straight" or "direct," is related too, so the idea of speed and directness runs through several neighbouring languages. In English, the speed sense faded over the centuries while the sense of preference and the softening of a statement, as in "rather difficult," took over.

Synonyms: fairly, somewhat, to some extent, quite

Antonyms: not at all, hardly, barely