rather travelled

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "rather travelled" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate a preference for someone who has experienced a lot of travel or has traveled extensively. Example: "She is rather travelled, having visited over thirty countries in the last five years."

✓ Grammatically correct

Encyclopedias

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

When Peter became metropolitan, he, like his predecessors, lived in no fixed place but rather travelled throughout Russia to promote unity among rival principalities.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

As for Clinton's meandering accent, Hurley suspected that its mutability was the by-product of a well-travelled life, rather than an attempt at verbal triangulating.

The New Yorker

And so, rather than sticking to the well-travelled coast, we took our van (actually a converted people carrier with a mattress in the back and spray-painted pictures of heavy-metal band Mötley Crüe down the sides) inland, to the lush green, oft-forgotten hinterland between beach and Outback, and were handsomely rewarded.

Independent

Granted, it's the road less travelled — if indeed it's travelled at all.

The New Yorker

To get around this, officials in Oregon (which introduced America's first gas tax, in 1919), want to replace the gas tax with a vehicle-miles travelled (VMT) fee: charging motorists for the miles they drive rather than the petrol they consume.

The Economist

Travelled 900 statute miles.

Independent

Rather, Hatleberg's photographs are a collection of subdued moments, captured during a months-long journey (made with the support of a grant from the Magnum Foundation) across the less-travelled reaches of the state.

The New Yorker

The Brighton-based remain leaners describe Remainers as well-travelled idealists who care about the environment, "Maybe they think that the world is a better place if we unite rather than separate ourselves," said one.

The Guardian - Opinion

This year, the road has become less travelled.

The New York Times

I liked that image — even online the Chinese travelled light.

The New Yorker

Woodrow Wilson, for instance, looks better travelled than he was.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing someone as "rather travelled", consider the context and audience. While grammatically sound, "well-travelled" is often a more common and readily understood alternative.

Common error

Avoid overusing "rather" in very formal or business writing. While grammatically correct, it can sometimes sound affected. Opt for more direct alternatives like "quite" or "very", or rephrase for clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "rather travelled" functions as an adjective modifying a noun (usually a person) to indicate they have significant travel experience. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Encyclopedias

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "rather travelled" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe someone with considerable travel experience. However, Ludwig suggests that while valid, it's less common than alternatives like "well-travelled". Its usage tends to be neutral to slightly formal, appearing in news media and encyclopedic contexts. While understandable, writers should consider the audience and context when choosing between "rather travelled" and more prevalent synonyms to ensure clarity and avoid sounding antiquated.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

well-traveled

A more common and widely understood synonym for having traveled extensively.

widely traveled

Similar to "well-traveled", emphasizing the breadth of travel experiences.

much-traveled

Highlights the frequency and extent of travel.

extensively traveled

Explicitly emphasizes the extensive nature of travel.

has traveled extensively

A more verbose way to express the same idea, using a verb phrase.

has seen much of the world

Emphasizes the experience and exposure gained through travel.

worldly

Implies sophistication and understanding gained through travel and experience.

experienced traveler

Focuses on the person's experience as a traveler.

a seasoned traveler

Suggests expertise and familiarity with travel.

one who has journeyed far

A more poetic way of describing someone with extensive travel experience.

FAQs

What does "rather travelled" mean?

The phrase "rather travelled" describes someone who has travelled quite a bit, implying they have significant experience visiting different places.

What is a more common alternative to "rather travelled"?

A more common and widely understood alternative to "rather travelled" is "well-traveled".

Is "rather travelled" formal or informal?

The phrase "rather travelled" can lean towards a slightly more formal or old-fashioned tone compared to "well-traveled".

How can I use "rather travelled" in a sentence?

Example: "She is a worldlier person than you might expect because she is "rather travelled", having visited many countries."