Cool MateRather vs Somewhat
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
| Rather | Somewhat | |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning | to a certain degree or extent; somewhat | To a certain degree or extent. |
| CEFR level | A2 | B2 |
| Part of speech | adverb | adverb |
| Usage notes | Use 'rather' to express a moderate degree of something, often in a slightly surprising way. It's more formal than 'pretty' but less than 'very'. Avoid in slang or casual speech. | Use 'somewhat' when you want to describe something that is not completely true but partially so. It's neutral, so it's suitable for both formal and informal contexts. |
Frequently asked questions: Rather vs Somewhat
What's the difference between "Rather" and "Somewhat"?
"Rather" means: to a certain degree or extent; somewhat "Somewhat" means: To a certain degree or extent.
When should I use "Rather" and "Somewhat"?
They can all be used in everyday English.
Are "Rather" and "Somewhat" the same CEFR level?
"Rather" is at A2, "Somewhat" is at B2 on the CEFR scale.