verb
loathe
LOHTH
Loathe (verb) means to hate or feel intense disgust toward someone or something. Example: “She loathes waking up early on weekends.”
verb
1
To hate or feel intense disgust toward someone or something.
"She loathes waking up early on weekends."
"He loathed the smell of cigarette smoke."
How to use loathe
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo hate something strongly, often with a sense of revulsion.
Common mistake
Don't confuse with "loath" (the adjective meaning reluctant, as in "loath to leave").
Easily confused with
Common pairings
loathe someone
absolutely loathe
loathe the idea of
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- loathes
- Past tense
- loathed
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She _____ waking up early on weekends.
Etymology
From Old English lāþian, related to "loath" — both trace back to a root meaning "hateful" or "hostile".
Related words
Rhymes for loathe
See all rhymes for loathe →Frequently asked questions
What does “loathe” mean?
The word “loathe” means to hate or feel intense disgust toward someone or something. In plain terms, to hate something strongly, often with a sense of revulsion.
How do you pronounce “loathe”?
“Loathe” is pronounced LOHTH (/ˈloʊð/ in IPA).
How do you use “loathe” in a sentence?
Here is “loathe” used in a sentence: “She loathes waking up early on weekends.”
What part of speech is “loathe”?
“Loathe” is a verb.
Where does the word “loathe” come from?
The word “loathe” comes from Old English. From Old English lāþian, related to "loath" — both trace back to a root meaning "hateful" or "hostile".
