Loath vs Loathe: Which One Do You Need?
Loath means reluctant. Loathe means to hate.
I am loath to interrupt. I loathe waiting.
The test that settles it
The silent e makes the verb, exactly as in breath / breathe. And it changes the sound: loath ends softly, loathe with a buzz.
“I am ___ to ask” → reluctant, so loath.
“I ___ mornings” → hate them, so loathe.
Loath: reluctant
An adjective, almost always followed by to plus a verb. It expresses unwillingness, not hatred — and it is milder than it looks.
She was loath to admit the mistake.
I am loath to spend more on it.
They seemed loath to commit.
Swap in reluctant. If it works, loath.
Loathe: to hate
A verb expressing strong dislike. It takes a direct object, and it is much stronger than dislike.
He loathes small talk.
She has always loathed flying.
They loathe each other.
Swap in detest. If it works, loathe.
Side by side
| Loath | Loathe |
|---|---|
| Reluctant | To hate |
| Adjective | Verb |
| Followed by to | Followed by an object |
| Loath to agree | Loathe the noise |
The exception
Loth is an accepted British spelling of the adjective, though it now looks old-fashioned. Loathe for the adjective, however, is simply an error.
Where people get it wrong
| Incorrect | Correct | Why |
|---|---|---|
| I am loathe to say it. | I am loath to say it. | Reluctant, so the adjective. |
| She loaths cold weather. | She loathes cold weather. | The verb keeps the e. |
| a loathe of housework | a loathing of housework | The noun is loathing. |
| loathe to interfere | loath to interfere | Reluctant. |
Practice — choose the right word, then check yourself.
- He was ___ to leave so early.
- I ___ being kept waiting.
- She is ___ to make promises.
- They ___ the new logo.
- A look of ___ crossed his face.
Show the answers
1. loath 2. loathe 3. loath 4. loathe 5. loathing
Frequently asked
Which pairs work the same way?
Breath / breathe, bath / bathe, cloth / clothe, teeth / teethe. The silent e makes the verb and softens the th.
Is loath a strong word?
No — it means merely unwilling. Readers sometimes take it as hatred because of the resemblance, which is one reason reluctant is often clearer.
More words people confuse
