Loath or Loathe?
What Is the Difference between "Loath" and "Loathe"?
"Loath" and "Loathe" are easy to confuse because they both describe negativity towards something.- "Loath" means "unwilling."
- He is loath to take a bath. ("Loath" is followed by "to." It rhymes with "both.")
- "Loathe" means "to hate."
- Dexter loathes bath night. ("Loathe" is not followed by "to." It rhymes with "betroth.")
"loath, loathe"
More about Loath and Loathe
Writers occasionally confuse "loath" and "loathe." Their meanings are related as they both relate to not liking something.Loathe
"Loathe" is a verb meaning "to hate." In fact, many consider it even stronger than "to hate." It can also be translated as "to hate intensely."Example sentences with "loathe":
- She will eat just about anything, but she loathes celery.
- I loved the Army as an institution and loathed every single thing it required me to do.
Loath
Loath is an adjective meaning "unwilling."Example sentences with "loath":
- She is loath to join because her friends play for a rival team.
- Magazines and newspapers are loath to discuss these types of deals publicly.
- At daybreak, when loathe to rise, have this thought in thy mind: I am rising for a man's work. (This should be "loath.")
Confusion Also Occurs in Speech
People confuse "loath" and "loathe" even when talking. This will help:- "Loath" ends in a hard "th" sound. It rhymes with "oath" or "both."
- "Loathe" ends in a soft "th" sound. It rhymes with "betroth."
Learning Resources
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