Definition of rather

• a. - Prior; earlier; former.
• a. - Earlier; sooner; before.
• a. - More readily or willingly; preferably.
• a. - On the other hand; to the contrary of what was said or suggested; instead.
• a. - Of two alternatives conceived of, this by preference to, or as more likely than, the other; somewhat.
• a. - More properly; more correctly speaking.
• a. - In some degree; somewhat; as, the day is rather warm; the house is rather damp.