reluctant
pronunciation
How to pronounce reluctant in British English:
UK [rɪˈlʌktənt]
How to pronounce reluctant in American English:
US [rɪˈlʌktənt]
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- Adjective:
- unwillingness to do something contrary to your custom
- unwilling to become involved
- not eager
Word Origin
- reluctant
- reluctant: [17] To be reluctant about doing something is etymologically to ‘struggle against’ it. The word comes from the present participle of Latin reluctārī, a compound verb formed from the prefix re- ‘against’ and luctārī ‘struggle’. Among the first English writers to employ it was John Milton, who used it in the literal Latin sense, describing the writhing Satan: ‘a monstrous serpent on his belly prone, reluctant, but in vain’, Paradise Lost 1667. ‘Unwilling, averse’, a metaphorical extension which saw the light of day in Latin, made its debut in English at the start of the 18th century.
- reluctant (adj.)
- "unwilling," 1660s, from Latin reluctantem (nominative reluctans), present participle of reluctari (see reluctance). Related: Reluctantly. The Latin word is also the source of Spanish reluchante, Italian riluttante.
Synonym
Antonym
Example
- 1. Television companies were at first reluctant to tell them .
- 2. She convinced a reluctant union to agree to a pay-for-performance system .
- 3. Arafat lifted his hand toward a still reluctant rabin .
- 4. Officials are reluctant to be so predictable this time .
- 5. Africa 's leaders have been reluctant to accept gm crops .