would

modal verb (WISH)

strong /wʊd/ weak /wəd/ /əd/

Definition

would rather/sooner (also 'd) B1 used to show that you prefer to have or do one thing more than another: I'd rather have a beer. Which would you sooner do - go swimming or play tennis? Wouldn't you rather finish it tomorrow? He'd rather die than (= he certainly does not want to) let me think he needed help.Liking more would that... formal › used to express a strong wish or desire: Would that (= if only) she could see her famous son now.Wanting thingsHoping and hopefulness

(Definition of would modal verb (WISH) from the Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary & Thesaurus © Cambridge University Press)