How many syllables in “rather”?
syllables in "rather"
Word details
Syllables
2
rat · her
Letters
6
r · a · t · h · e · r
Scrabble
9
points
Scrabble letter values
Count another word
About the word “rather”
The word “rather” contains 2 syllables, divided as rat · her. It has 6 letters.
FAQ
How many syllables does "rather" have?
"rather" has 2 syllables.
How do you divide "rather" into syllables?
"rather" is divided into syllables as: rat · her.
What is the Scrabble score for "rather"?
The Scrabble score for "rather" is 9 points.
Using “rather” in writing
Two-syllable words like "rather" (rat · her) are the building blocks of iambic rhythm — the most common meter in English poetry. If the stress falls on the second syllable (da-DUM), it forms a perfect iamb, ideal for sonnets and iambic pentameter. It also fits neatly into the 5- or 7-syllable lines of a haiku.
In word games
In Scrabble and Words With Friends, “rather” is worth 9 base points before any board multipliers. A solid mid-range score. Landing a high-value letter on a double letter square will push your total higher.