Loath vs. Loathe – Which is Correct?

Loath (pronounced LOH-th) is an adjective meaning unwilling or reluctant. Loathe (pronounced LOH-th) is a verb meaning to feel intense dislike or disgust for. The key difference is their part of speech: loath describes a state of being, while loathe describes an action or feeling.

Loath or Loathe – Which is Correct?

Both “loath” and “loathe” are correct words in American English, but they serve entirely different grammatical functions. The confusion often arises from their similar spelling and pronunciation, particularly as “loathe” retains the ‘th’ sound from its root, unlike many other ‘the’ endings. The critical distinction lies in their parts of speech: “loath” is an adjective, while “loathe” is a verb.

A simple “swap test” can help: If you can replace the word with another adjective like “unwilling” or “reluctant,” use loath. If you can replace it with a verb like “detest” or “hate,” use loathe. A useful mnemonic is to remember that the ‘e’ at the end of loathe signals it’s a verb, similar to how ‘e’ often indicates a verb in words like ‘bathe’ or ‘breathe’.

Word	Part of Speech	Meaning	Example
Loath	Adjective	Unwilling, reluctant, disinclined	He was loath to admit his mistake.
Loathe	Verb	To feel intense dislike or disgust for; to hate	She loathes reality television.

How to Use Loath

As an adjective, “loath” describes a person’s state of reluctance or unwillingness to do something. It is almost always followed by the infinitive form of a verb (e.g., “loath to go,” “loath to admit”). It conveys a sense of strong hesitation or aversion to a particular action, often implying a moral or personal objection rather than simple inconvenience. The tone is generally formal or literary.

Example 1: The committee was loath to approve the controversial proposal without further review.

Example 2: I would be loath to miss such a unique opportunity to travel.

Example 3: Despite the evidence, he remained loath to believe the accusations against his friend.

What are the different forms of Loath?

“Loath” is an adjective and therefore does not have different tenses or conjugations like a verb. It primarily exists in its base form. It can be used in comparative or superlative constructions, though these are less common (e.g., “more loath,” “most loath”).

Etymology of the word Loath

The word “loath” comes from the Old English word lāth, which meant “hostile, hateful, evil, unpleasant.” It is closely related to “loathe” and reflects an earlier sense of strong aversion or animosity that has evolved to mean “unwilling” or “reluctant” in its adjectival form.

How to Use Loathe

“Loathe” is a verb meaning to feel intense dislike, disgust, or hatred for someone or something. It expresses a much stronger negative emotion than simply “dislike” and is often used to describe a deep-seated aversion. As a transitive verb, it typically takes a direct object (e.g., “loathe injustice,” “loathe a person”).

Example 1: Many people loathe the taste of cilantro, finding it soapy.

Example 2: He began to loathe the very thought of returning to his old job.

Example 3: She absolutely loathes public speaking, despite being good at it.

What are the different forms of Loathe?

As a regular verb, “loathe” follows standard English conjugations:

• Base form: loathe (e.g., I loathe)
• Third-person singular present: loathes (e.g., He loathes)
• Past tense: loathed (e.g., They loathed)
• Past participle: loathed (e.g., I have loathed)
• Present participle/Gerund: loathing (e.g., She is loathing, the loathing in his eyes)

Etymology of the word Loathe

“Loathe” originates from the Old English verb lāthian, meaning “to hate, be hateful, be evil.” It shares its root with the adjective “loath.” Over time, the verb form retained the active sense of expressing intense animosity.

Related Concepts

Understanding the distinction between “loath” and “loathe” is a prime example of the importance of identifying a word’s part of speech. Adjectives modify nouns or pronouns, describing qualities or states (e.g., “a reluctant student,” “I am unwilling“). Verbs, on the other hand, express actions, occurrences, or states of being (e.g., “they run,” “he feels“). In this case, “loath” describes a person’s state of being unwilling, while “loathe” describes the action of feeling intense dislike. Always consider what role the word plays in the sentence to determine if an adjective or a verb is required.

Examples from Media and Literature

• “I am loath to close. We are not enemies, but friends. We must not be enemies.” – Abraham Lincoln (First Inaugural Address)
• “He found himself beginning to loathe the very air of the office, thick with unspoken resentments.” – Fictional literary example
• “The company was loath to invest in a new venture, given the uncertain economic climate.” – News report
• “She had grown to loathe the daily commute, the endless traffic and the drain on her energy.” – Common narrative theme
• “Though he was loath to admit it, her arguments had swayed his opinion.” – Literary dialogue

Practice Exercises

Choose the correct word to complete the sentence.

1. I am ____ to interrupt, but this is urgent.
2. He began to ____ his job after the new management took over.
3. Are you really so ____ to try new things?
4. They absolutely ____ the idea of getting up early.
5. She was ____ to share her secret with anyone.

Answer Key

1. loath
2. loathe
3. loath
4. loathe
5. loath

Loath Synonyms

Synonym	Definition
Unwilling	Not ready, eager, or prepared to do something.
Reluctant	Unwilling and hesitant.
Averse	Having a strong dislike of or opposition to something.
Disinclined	Lacking inclination or willingness; reluctant.

Loathe Synonyms

Synonym	Definition
Detest	To dislike intensely.
Abhor	To regard with extreme repugnance or aversion; to loathe.
Despise	To feel contempt or a deep repugnance for.
Hate	To feel intense or passionate dislike for (someone or something).
Execrate	To feel or express great loathing for.

Frequently Asked Questions

Question 1: How do I remember the difference between loath and loathe?
Remember that loath (adjective) describes a state of reluctance, like “I am loath to go.” Loathe (verb) describes an action of intense dislike, like “I loathe going.” The ‘e’ at the end of loathe often signals a verb, similar to ‘bathe’ or ‘breathe’.

Question 2: Can loath be used as a verb?
No, loath is strictly an adjective. If you need a verb to express strong dislike, you should use loathe. Using loath as a verb is a common grammatical error.

Question 3: Is loath commonly used in modern English?
While perhaps less common than “unwilling” or “reluctant,” loath is still a perfectly valid and understood adjective, often found in more formal contexts or literature. Its use adds a touch of precision and formality to writing.

Conclusion

The distinction between “loath” and “loathe” boils down to their grammatical roles: “loath” is an adjective signifying reluctance, and “loathe” is a verb expressing intense dislike. Remembering this fundamental difference, along with the mnemonic of the ‘e’ indicating a verb for “loathe,” will help you navigate their usage with confidence. Correctly employing these words not only enhances the clarity of your communication but also demonstrates a command of the English language, reflecting positively on your professional reputation.