How to spell rather

hear itra·ther/'ræðər/adverbLong vowels

What it means: More willingly or by choice.

In a sentence: I would rather play outside than stay indoors.

The part people get wrong

Often misspelled as rathar or ruther.

Same family: rather than, would rather, rather like, rather more, somewhat. If you can spell one, the shared part carries to the others.

Where it comes from: “Rather” comes from Old English “hrathor,” meaning “more quickly” or “sooner.” Over time, its meaning shifted from speed to preference, as in “I would rather do this,” and to mild emphasis, as in “That was rather good.”

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