The meaning of rather is with better reason or more propriety : How to use rather in a sentence. I rather thought that was the case.
We use rather as a degree adverb (rather cold, rather nice). We also use it to express alternatives and preferences (green rather than blue, coffee rather than tea, slowly rather than quickly).. You use rather before verbs that introduce your thoughts and feelings, in order to express your opinion politely, especially when a different opinion has been expressed.
When spoken, the meaning can vary with the tone of voice and stress. Both would and had are used with rather in sentences such as i would rather (or had rather) go to the film than to the play. Had rather is less common and is now widely regarded as slightly old-fashioned
See examples of rather used in a sentence. Use rather to specify a preference for one thing over another. Wouldn't you rather go to the movies than stay home and clean the house?
Rather can also be used to mean "on the contrary," or to introduce. Definition of rather adverb in oxford advanced learner's dictionary.