Meaning

Averse, disinclined; reluctant, unwilling. Always followed by a verbal phrase..

Definitions by Sense

1. Averse, disinclined; reluctant, unwilling. Always followed by a verbal phrase.
2. (obsolete) Angry, hostile.
3. (obsolete) Loathsome, unpleasant.
4. Obsolete spelling of loathe.

Example Sentences

I was loath to return to the office without the Henderson file.

Then ſaid Faint-heart, Deliver thy Purſe; but he making no haſte to do it (for he was loth to loſe his Money,) Miſtrust ran up to him, and thruſting his hand into his Pocket, pull'd out thence a bag of Silver.

Frankville, whoſe only Fault was raſhneſs, grew almoſt wild at the Recital of ſo unexpected a Misfortune, he knew not for a good while what to believe, loath he was to ſuſpect the Count, but loather to ſuſpect Camilla, yet flew into extremities of Rage againſt both, by turns: […]

"And thereupon I pledge thee," said the young nobleman, "which on any other argument I were loth to do—thinking of Ned as somewhat the cut of a villain."

Of all the people in the world our countrymen are the loathest to give away their money without some reasonable quid pro quo; […]

If I to wed the girl am loth / A breach 'twill surely be—

Ah! dear one, I've been old so long, / It seems that age is loth to part, / Though days and years have never a song, / And, oh! have they still the art / That warmed the pulses of heart to heart?

When the dawn comes, red and gold and purple one is almost loath to seek the cheery, busy earth again, altho the novelty of landing in who knows what part of Europe affords still another unique pleasure. For many the greatest charm of spherical ballooning lies here.

Word Forms

• loather
• loathest
• loth
• loathed
• loathe
• loaths
• loathing

Synonyms for loath

Antonyms for loath

Related Words

When Should You Use Loath?

Use loath when its meaning, tone and grammar fit the full sentence. A synonym is not always a direct replacement.

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