used to indicate one's preference in a particular matter

would you like some wine or would you rather stick to sherry?

she'd rather die than cause a scene

I'd rather you didn't tell him

to a certain or significant extent or degree

she's been behaving rather strangely

he's rather an unpleasant man

used to suggest that the opposite of a previous statement is the case; on the contrary

There is no shortage of basic skills in the workplace. Rather, the problem is poor management

used to express emphatic affirmation, agreement, or acceptance

‘You are glad to be home, aren't you?’ ‘Rather!’