Loath: Definition, Usage & Common Mistakes

Meaning 1：reluctant (loath)

loath 🔊

/ləʊθ/

adj.

Not wanting to do something at all; feeling strong dislike or unwillingness towards an action.

reluctant 🔊

➕

/rɪˈlʌktənt/

adj.

This sense describes a strong feeling of unwillingness or aversion towards doing something.

📁 Category：Behaviors & Actions 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Old English "lāth" meaning hateful, hostile, or repulsive.

💡 Mnemonic

Think of a LOAF of bread you HATE. You are LOATH to eat it.

📖 Example

The child was loath to eat his broccoli, pushing the green florets around his plate with a frown. 🔊 The child was very reluctant to eat his broccoli, pushing the green florets around his plate with a frown.

🔗 Collocations

be loath to do something – The standard construction expressing strong unwillingness.

nothing loath – An archaic phrase meaning quite willing or ready.

be loath to admit – To be unwilling to confess or acknowledge something.

🔄 Synonyms

reluctant (adj.) – Unwilling and hesitant to do something.

averse (adj.) – Having a strong dislike of or opposition to something.

disinclined (adj.) – Unwilling; not in the mood for something.

🚫 Antonyms

eager (adj.) – Very keen or enthusiastic to do something.

willing (adj.) – Ready and happy to do something.

keen (adj.) – Eager and enthusiastic about something.

🌱 Derivatives

loathe (v.) – To feel intense dislike or disgust for.

loathing (n.) – A feeling of intense dislike or disgust; hatred.

📖 Cultural Story

Etymologically derived from Old English "lāth," related to Dutch "leed" (grief) and German "leid" (sorrow). It shares a root with the verb "loathe." This word often appears in formal or literary contexts to express deep-seated reluctance, such as in business negotiations or official statements where someone is described as being "loath to commit" to a course of action.