rather in WordNet English dictionary

1. on the contrary
   "rather than disappoint the children, he did two quick tricks before he left"; "he didn't call; rather (or instead), he wrote her a letter"; "used English terms instead of Latin ones"
   rather  instead  rather  instead 
   
2. to some (great or small) extent
   "it was rather cold"; "the party was rather nice"; "the knife is rather dull"; "I rather regret that I cannot attend"; "He's rather good at playing the cello"; "he is kind of shy"
   rather  kind of  kinda  sort of  rather  kind of  kinda  sort of 
   
3. more readily or willingly
   "clean it well, preferably with warm water"; "I'd rather be in Philadelphia"; "I'd sooner die than give up"
   preferably  sooner  rather  preferably  sooner  rather 
   
4. to a degree (not used with a negative)
   "quite tasty"; "quite soon"; "quite ill"; "quite rich"
   quite  rather  quite  rather