Loath vs. Loathe
“Loath” is a formal adjective meaning unwilling or reluctant, usually in the pattern “be loath to …”. “Loathe” is a transitive verb meaning to hate or strongly dislike. Cambridge also gives a stable pronunciation contrast in mainstream UK/US forms: loath ends in /θ/, while loathe ends in /ð/.
Use “loath” for unwilling/reluctant (“I’m loath to leave”). Use “loathe” as the verb meaning hate (“I loathe waiting”).
Key details
Choose the right form
| Need | Use | Fast cue |
|---|---|---|
| unwilling/reluctant adjective | loath | be loath to + verb |
| hate/dislike action | loathe | loathe + noun/-ing |
The final e changes both grammatical role and the reviewed pronunciation.
Quick tests
Role test
Does the sentence mean “be unwilling/reluctant” before “to + verb”?
If yes: Use “loath.”
If no: If the sentence needs the action “hate strongly,” use “loathe.”
Caveat: Do not treat loath as a spelling variant of the verb loathe.
Examples
I am loath to cancel the trip.
Loath is the adjective meaning unwilling or reluctant.
I loathe unnecessary delays.
Loathe is the verb meaning hate or strongly dislike.
I am loathe to cancel the trip.
Better: I am loath to cancel the trip.
The standard adjective in the “be ___ to” unwillingness pattern is loath.
Further guidance
Inflection Boundary
The verb loathe inflects: loathed, loathing. Loath is not the base form of that verb.
Pronunciation Boundary
Cambridge gives loath /ləʊθ, loʊθ/ and loathe /ləʊð, loʊð/, a stable final-consonant voicing contrast in the reviewed UK/US pronunciations.
Role Boundary
Loath is an adjective; loathe is a transitive verb.
Sources and evidence
Sources are shown with the role they play in this guide. Historical or style-sensitive claims are kept within the evidence boundary described above.
- LOATH — English meaning (opens in a new tab)Cambridge Dictionary · Meaning, grammar role and pronunciation of loath
- LOATHE — English meaning (opens in a new tab)Cambridge Dictionary · Meaning, grammar role and pronunciation of loathe
- LOATHED — English meaning (opens in a new tab)Cambridge Dictionary · Past tense/participle morphology of loathe