reluctant

reluctant — adjective

1. Not wanting to do something, which shows in slow actions or hesitation.

1.adjectiveB2
Definition

Not wanting to do something, which shows in slow actions or hesitation.

Example

After the crash, Eitan was reluctant to ride his bike to work.

reluctant + to-infinitive (pattern)

The puppy gave a reluctant bark when Folake shut the kitchen door.

reluctant before a noun = unwilling but doing it

Common collocations
  • reluctant to + verb
  • reluctant agreement
  • reluctant smile
  • reluctant apology
  • reluctant participant
Synonyms
  • unwilling

    stronger and more definite than reluctant; suggests a clear refusal rather than hesitation

  • hesitant

    focuses on pausing or being unsure; a hesitant person may still be willing, just cautious

  • loath

    more formal and intense; suggests deep personal opposition to the action

  • disinclined

    polite and slightly formal; suggests a mild lack of desire rather than strong opposition

  • averse

    often used in 'not averse to' meaning mildly willing; otherwise suggests strong dislike of something

Antonyms
  • eager

    enthusiastic and ready to act without hesitation

  • willing

    open and ready to do what is asked

  • keen

    enthusiastic, showing strong interest

Grammar Patterns

reluctant + to-infinitive

reluctant + noun (reluctant agreement / reluctant smile)

Usage Note

Typically followed by a to-infinitive (reluctant to do something) or placed before a noun such as agreement, smile, or apology to describe an action performed without eagerness. The resistance is internal, not forced by external obstacles.

Common Mistakes

The door was reluctant to open.
The door was hard to open.
reluctant describes a person’s willingness, not an object’s mechanical behaviour.
She was reluctant to help because the task was illegal.
She was unwilling to help because the task was illegal.
'unwilling' is stronger and suits a firm moral refusal; 'reluctant' implies some hesitation or discomfort, not a clear refusal.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: adjective/1

All five words describe some degree of opposition to doing something, but they differ in strength and nuance. 'Reluctant' suggests inner resistance that shows through slow action or hesitation—you may do the thing, but without eagerness. 'Unwilling' is stronger and more definite: an unwilling person flatly refuses or makes it clear they will not cooperate. 'Hesitant' focuses on the pause before acting, often from uncertainty rather than opposition; a hesitant speaker may just lack confidence. 'Loath' (or 'loth') is more formal and expresses deep personal distaste—you are loath to do something you find morally or emotionally wrong. 'Disinclined' is polite and mild, suggesting a slight lack of interest or desire rather than strong refusal. Compare: a reluctant volunteer agrees but sighs; an unwilling volunteer says no; a hesitant volunteer asks questions; a loath volunteer would never sign up; a disinclined volunteer says 'I’d rather not.'

reluctant ↗unwilling ↗hesitantloathdisinclined

Common collocations

Nouns

  • reluctant agreement
  • reluctant smile
  • reluctant sigh
  • reluctant nod
  • reluctant apology
  • reluctant participant
  • reluctant hero

Adverbs

  • distinctly reluctant
  • somewhat reluctant
  • increasingly reluctant
  • clearly reluctant
  • visibly reluctant

Phrases

  • be reluctant to
  • remain reluctant to
  • seem reluctant to
  • look reluctant to
  • feel reluctant about

Prepositions

  • reluctant about something
  • reluctant to do something

Etymology

LatinEnglish

Borrowed from Latin reluctantem, the present participle of reluctari — a combination of re- (back, against) and luctari (to struggle). The original Latin meaning was “struggling against” or “opposing.” English adopted the word in the 1600s, first with the sense of “offering resistance” and later shifting to the modern meaning of inner unwillingness. The image of a physical struggle faded, leaving the idea of mental reluctance.