rather: meaning and words from its letters
6 letters · 9 letter points · starts with R · ends with R
Meaning of rather
adv
- not-comparable
Used to specify a choice or preference; preferably, in preference to. (Now usually followed by than)
Example: I'd rather not have spent all the money, but it really was an emergency.
- conjunctive, not-comparable
Used to introduce a contradiction; on the contrary.
Example: It wasn't supposed to be popular; rather, it was supposed to get the job done.
- conjunctive, not-comparable
Introducing a qualification or clarification; more precisely. (Now usually preceded by or.)
Example: I didn't want to leave. Or rather I did, just not alone.
- not-comparable
Somewhat, quite; to an unexpected degree.
Example: It's been rather/quite a good meal overall, but this melon is rather too tasteless.
Listed forms: raither.
Source: Wiktionary — rather.
adj
- not-comparable, obsolete
Prior; earlier; former.
Listed forms: raither.
Source: Wiktionary — rather.
intj
- England, dated
An enthusiastic affirmation.
Example: Would you like some? –Rather!
Listed forms: raither.
Source: Wiktionary — rather.
Adapted from Wiktionary contributors via Kaikki.org. Selected senses and forms; quotations omitted. Definition text is CC BY-SA 4.0.
Synonyms by meaning
Words are grouped by sense, so they are not necessarily interchangeable in every context. Search synonyms for rather.
adverb
on the contrary
adverb
to some (great or small) extent
- kind of
- kinda
- sort of
adverb
more readily or willingly
adverb
to a degree (not used with a negative)
Open English WordNet Team, 2025, derived from Princeton University WordNet; selected synonym groups under CC BY 4.0. Source · OEWN notice · Princeton notice.
Is rather in our word lists?
| Word list | Status |
|---|---|
| American English | Found |
| British English | Found |
| Extended English | Found |
These are spelling-list matches, not official game validity checks. Check the rules and dictionary used by your game.
Letter-value score of rather
R(1) + A(1) + T(1) + H(4) + E(1) + R(1) = 9 points.
This is a sum of letter values without board bonuses or word multipliers. A blank tile is worth zero: subtract the value of each letter supplied by a blank. The score does not establish game validity. Full letter-value table.
Anagrams of rather
0 other standard-list words use exactly these letters, including repeated letters.
No other single-word anagram was found in our standard list.
Shorter words from rather
51 shorter standard-list words can be made using no letter more often than it occurs in rather. Showing up to 24, longest first.