loath

Loath is an adjective that means unwilling or reluctant to do something. It carries a sense of hesitation or caution rather than outright opposition. It is commonly used before an infinitive, as in phrases like “loath to admit fault” or “loath to change course.” The term is formal or literary in tone and can describe attitudes, actions, or decisions.

Loath is often confused with the unrelated verb loathe, which means to detest or hate. The two words are not interchangeable in meaning. They also differ in pronunciation: loath ends with an unvoiced th sound, while loathe ends with a voiced th sound. This distinction can help prevent misreading in contexts where both words appear.

Etymologically, loath derives from Old English and has long-standing use in English to express reluctance. It appears in various legal, political, and literary texts, retaining a somewhat old-fashioned or formal flavor in contemporary writing.

Common usage notes include that loath tends to appear in formal, traditional, or British English contexts. In American English, speakers may more often use terms like reluctant, unwilling, or hesitant rather than loath, but loath remains correct and recognizable in appropriate contexts.

Example sentences:

- She was loath to abandon the project, despite mounting risks.

- The committee was loath to approve the proposal without further evidence.

- He was loath to admit he had been mistaken.