adj
loath
lohth
Loath (adj) means Reluctant or unwilling to do something. Example: “She was loath to admit she had made a mistake.”
adj
1
Reluctant or unwilling to do something.
"She was loath to admit she had made a mistake."
"He seemed loath to leave the party early."
"I was loath to return to the office without the Henderson file."
How to use loath
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishUnwilling or reluctant — always used with "to" plus a verb, as in "loath to leave".
Common mistake
Don't confuse "loath" (adjective, meaning reluctant) with "loathe" (verb, meaning to hate).
Common pairings
loath to admit
loath to leave
nothing loath
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Word forms
- Comparative
- loather
- Superlative
- loathest
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She was _____ to admit she had made a mistake.
Etymology
From Old English lāð ("hateful, hostile"), an ancestor shared with "loathe" and "loathsome".
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
antonym(s) of
Related words
Rhymes for loath
See all rhymes for loath →Frequently asked questions
What does “loath” mean?
The word “loath” means reluctant or unwilling to do something. In plain terms, unwilling or reluctant — always used with "to" plus a verb, as in "loath to leave".
How do you pronounce “loath”?
“Loath” is pronounced lohth (/loʊθ/ in IPA).
How do you use “loath” in a sentence?
Here is “loath” used in a sentence: “She was loath to admit she had made a mistake.”
What is another word for “loath”?
Words with a similar meaning to “loath” include averse, disinclined, reluctant and unwilling.
What is the opposite of “loath”?
The opposite of “loath” — its antonyms — is antonym(s) of.
What part of speech is “loath”?
“Loath” is an adjective.
Where does the word “loath” come from?
The word “loath” comes from Old English. From Old English lāð ("hateful, hostile"), an ancestor shared with "loathe" and "loathsome".
