adverb/ply.to/
earlier, sooner; rather, instead (indicating preference); rather (introducing a correction or clarification); rather, pretty, kind of (indicating intensity or degree)
“Je n'aime pas le rouge. Je prends plutôt le noir.” — I don't like the red one. I'll take the black one instead.
Synonyms: plus tôt
From Middle French plustost, see plus + tôt. Compare Italian piuttosto and Catalan més aviat. Compare the etymology of English rather.