introduction
It’s common to confuse the words “loath and loathe.” Although their meanings are connected, they are used differently. “Loath” is an adjective meaning unwilling, while “loathe” is a verb meaning to hate.
In this post, we will clarify the difference between these two terms in more detail!
Easily confused words – loath and loathe
The words loath and loathe have related meanings but different usages:
Loath
The word loath is an adjective. It means unwilling or reluctant; disinclined.
Etymology: The word “loath” originates from Old English “lað,” meaning hated or repulsive, and is related to similar words in other Germanic languages. It comes from a root meaning “to detest.” Over time, “loath” also gained a sense of being averse or disinclined. While it wasn’t commonly used in the 17th and 18th centuries, it was revived in the 19th century in literature.
Synonyms: reluctant, unwilling, disinclined, ill-disposed; averse, opposed, resistant…
Examples:
- I am loath to leave.
- She was loath to attend the meeting.
- He felt loath to admit his mistake.
- They were loath to accept the new rules.
- The cat seemed loath to leave its cozy spot by the fireplace.
- Jane was loath to give up her favorite book.
- The manager was loath to fire his long-time employee.
Loathe
The word loathe is a verb. It means feel intense dislike or disgust for.
Etymology: The word “loathe” comes from Old English “laðian,” meaning to be hateful or displeasing. It’s related to similar words in Old Saxon and Old Norse meaning to be evil or hateful. The main modern sense of “to hate or be disgusted with” dates back to around 1200. The phrase “it loathes me” used to mean “I am disgusted with it” was common until the 16th century.
Synonyms: hate, detest, abhor, execrate, have a strong aversion to, feel repugnance toward, not be able to bear/stand, be repelled by…
Examples:
- She loathed him.
- It was strange to see two brothers who truly loathed each other like that!
- His wife loathed his habits.
- He loathes the idea of public speaking.
- Many people loathe the taste of olives.
- She loathes the thought of going to the dentist.
- John loathed the idea of working on weekends.
- The teacher loathed grading papers late at night.
Conclusion
In conclusion, although “loath and loathe” have related meanings, they have different usages. “Loath” means reluctant or unwilling, whereas “loathe” means to feel intense dislike or disgust. Understanding these distinctions helps in using these words correctly in various contexts.
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