Word
loath
US/ˈɫoʊθ/
UK/lˈəʊθ/
Definition
adj. not wanting to do something. You use it when you are unwilling because you dislike the idea or feel it is wrong.
adj. unwilling or reluctant to do something, often from dislike, fear, or principle. Typically followed by a to-infinitive.
Examples
“She is loath to ask for help.”
“He is loath to sell the family house after living there for thirty years.”
“Though loath to admit any weakness in public, the director privately seeks advice before every major decision.”
Examples
simple
“She is loath to ask for help.”
contextual
“He is loath to sell the family house after living there for thirty years.”
complex
“Though loath to admit any weakness in public, the director privately seeks advice before every major decision.”
Usage
Typically followed by 'to' + verb ('loath to leave'); used after be, not before a noun.
Real-World Examples
“Adolf Hitler is often referred to as a madman, in part because most people are loath to accept such enormity of evil as anything other than the byproduct of psychosis.” “Monetary policy has become the yen's biggest sticking point after the Bank of Japan (BOJ) has hinted it is loath to raise rates again this year, having done so in January, before it can gauge the full impact of U.S. President Donald Trump's sweeping tariffs.” “The staying power of the Ramaswamy Rise will now be tested by rival candidates loath to see a political novice elevated as the alternative to Donald J. Trump, the front-runner whose legal troubles have snowballed.” “He shared editorial duties with Barbara Epstein until her death in 2006, but it was Mr. Silvers who came to embody The Review’s mystique, despite, or perhaps because of, his insistence on remaining a behind-the-scenes presence, loath to grant interviews or make public appearances.” Etymology
From Middle English lōth (“loath; averse, hateful”), from Old English lāð, lāþ (“evil; loathsome”), or Old Norse leið, leiðr (“uncomfortable; tired”) from Proto-Germanic laiþaz (“loath; hostile; sad, sorry”), ultimately from Proto-Indo-European h₂leyt- (“to do something abhorrent or hateful”). The word is cognate with Danish led (“disgusting, loathsome; nasty”), Dutch leed (“sad; (Belgium) angry”), French laid (“ugly; morally corrupt”), Catalan lleig (“ugly”), Icelandic leiður (“annoyed, vexed; sad; (archaic or poetic) annoying, wearisome”), Italian laido (“filthy, foul; obscene”), Old Frisian leed, Old High German leid (Middle High German leit, modern German leid (“uncomfortable”), Leid (“grief, sorrow, woe; affliction, suffering; harm, injury; wrong”)), Old Saxon lêð, lēth (“evil person or thing”), Swedish led (“bored; tired; (archaic) disgusting, loathsome; evil”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
ADJECTIVE
Related words
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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englishreference.com/q/loath