loth
/louθ/ Cách viết khác : (loth) /louθ/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Adjective:
- Unwilling, reluctant, or strongly disinclined to do something: Describes a state of being hesitant, averse, or having a strong dislike or opposition to an action or situation.
- Disgusted or repelled by something: An archaic or less common meaning indicating a feeling of loathing or disgust.
Usage
The adjective loth (also spelled loath) is used to describe a person's strong reluctance or aversion. It is almost always followed by an infinitive verb (e.g., to go, to admit) or, less commonly, a prepositional phrase. It expresses a deep-seated unwillingness, often due to dislike, distaste, or principle.
Examples
- Adjective:
- She was loth to leave her hometown. (She was very unwilling to leave.)
- He is loth to accept help from others. (He is strongly disinclined to accept help.)
- The manager was loth to change the company's traditional policy. (The manager was very opposed to changing the policy.)
Advanced Usage
- "Nothing loth": An idiomatic phrase meaning "quite willing" or "perfectly ready." It is used to indicate a lack of reluctance in a specific context.
- When offered a second slice of cake, he was nothing loth. (He was very willing to accept it.)
Variants and Related Words
- Loath (adj): The more common modern spelling of loth. Both forms are correct and have identical meanings and usage.
- Loathe (v): A distinct verb meaning "to feel intense dislike or disgust for."
- I loathe the smell of cigarettes. (This is an action, not a state of reluctance.)
- Loathing (n): A feeling of intense dislike or disgust.
- She looked at him with pure loathing.
Synonyms
- Reluctant: Hesitant or unwilling.
- Averse: Having a strong dislike or opposition.
- Disinclined: Unwilling or not inclined.
- Hesitant: Tentative or unsure.
Related Phrases
- Loath to do something: The standard construction expressing reluctance.
- They were loath to interfere in a family matter.
- Nothing loath: Willing and ready.
- Invited to speak, she was nothing loath.
Adjective
- (usually followed by `to') strongly opposed
- antipathetic to new ideas
- averse to taking risks
- loath to go on such short notice
- clearly indisposed to grant their request
- unwillingness to do something contrary to your custom
- a reluctant smile
- loath to admit a mistake