LOATH

Pronunciation (US):

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IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does loath mean? 

• LOATH (adjective)
  The adjective LOATH has 2 senses:

1. unwillingness to do something contrary to your custom

2. (usually followed by 'to') strongly opposed

  Familiarity information: LOATH used as an adjective is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• LOATH (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Unwillingness to do something contrary to your custom

Synonyms:

loath; loth; reluctant

Context example:

loath to admit a mistake

Similar:

unwilling (not disposed or inclined toward)

Sense 2

Meaning:

(usually followed by 'to') strongly opposed

Synonyms:

antipathetic; antipathetical; averse; indisposed; loath; loth

Context example:

clearly indisposed to grant their request

Similar:

disinclined (unwilling because of mild dislike or disapproval)

 Context examples 

I am loath to think it, and indeed it would be almost as great a marvel as the other to find that Van Helsing was mad; but anyhow I shall watch him carefully.

(Dracula, by Bram Stoker)

It seemed our eyes must meet in a great understanding, and yet, loath, they struggled away and did not meet.

(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)

So snug and warm was it, that he was loath to leave it when François distributed the fish which he had first thawed over the fire.

(The Call of the Wild, by Jack London)

And near to him he heard the scuffle of a mighty Slavonian hunter, loath to die, and, half uprisen, borne back and down by the thirsty spears.

(Love of Life and Other Stories, by Jack London)

He was worried and apprehensive, yet the camp lured his mate and she was loath to depart.

(White Fang, by Jack London)

And yet I was loath to believe that this was the case, and the presence of the word ‘Hudson’ seemed to show that the subject of the message was as I had guessed, and that it was from Beddoes rather than the sailor.

(The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

There was no bridal procession, but a sudden silence fell upon the room as Mr. March and the young couple took their places under the green arch. Mother and sisters gathered close, as if loath to give Meg up.

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)

Our eyes were not loath to meet.

(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)

The pack had been loath to forego the kill it had hunted down, and it lingered for several minutes, making sure of the sounds, and then it, too, sprang away on the trail made by the she-wolf.

(White Fang, by Jack London)

After all, I thought, it is better and finer to love than to be loved, if it makes something in life so worth while that one is not loath to die for it.

(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)