loath

adjective

ˈlōth  ˈlōt͟h 

variants or less commonly loth

ˈlōth  ˈlōt͟h 

or loathe

ˈlōt͟h  ˈlōth 

: unwilling to do something contrary to one's ways of thinking : reluctant

She was loath to admit her mistakes.

loathness noun

Did you know?

Many usage commentators point out that the spelling of loath, the adjective, is distinct from loathe, the verb that means "to dislike greatly." Merriam-Webster dictionaries do record loathe (along with loth) as a variant spelling for the adjective, but at the same time indicate that the loath spelling is the most common one. The adjective and the verb both hark back to Old English, and the "e" ending in each has come and gone over the centuries—but if you want to avoid the ire of those who like to keep the language tidy, stick with loath for the adjective and loathe for the verb.

Synonyms

• reluctant
• hesitant

Choose the Right Synonym for loath

disinclined, hesitant, reluctant, loath, averse mean lacking the will or desire to do something indicated.

disinclined implies lack of taste for or inclination.

disinclined to move again

disinclined for reading

hesitant implies a holding back especially through fear or uncertainty.

hesitant about asking for a date

reluctant implies a holding back through unwillingness.

a reluctant witness

loath implies hesitancy because of conflict with one's opinions, predilections, or liking.

seems loath to trust anyone

averse implies a holding back from or avoiding because of distaste or repugnance.

averse to hard work

not averse to an occasional drink

Examples of loath in a Sentence

She was loath to admit her mistakes.

I was loath to accept his claim of having climbed Mount Everest.

Recent Examples on the Web

Athletes and coaches are loath to admit even a shred of positive in any defeat, let alone in the immediate aftermath, but if ever the moral victory existed, can’t Inter Miami claim some of that even after a 4-0 defeat? —Greg Cote, Miami Herald, 29 June 2025

Despite his elder and younger brothers both being happily married, Benedict is loath to settle down. —Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 20 June 2025

By 1953, as decolonization swept the world, the Danish government, loath to give up ninety-eight per cent of its landmass, made Greenland a semi-autonomous part of its kingdom but retained de-facto control. —Louise Bokkenheuser, The New Yorker, 11 Mar. 2025

More: Russia demands harsh terms at Ukraine peace talks Trump has threatened sanctions on Russia but is clearly loath to impose them. —Susan Page, USA Today, 5 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English loth loathsome, from Old English lāth; akin to Old High German leid loathsome, Old Irish lius loathing

First Known Use

12th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for loath

• both
• doeth
• growth
• oath
• quoth
• sloth
• troth
• ingrowth
• outgrowth
• undergrowth

Podcast

Get Word of the Day delivered to your inbox!

Kids Definition

loath

adjective

variants also loth

ˈlōth,

ˈlōt͟h

or loathe

ˈlōt͟h  ˈlōth 

: unwilling to do something : reluctant

seems loath to trust anyone