reluctant
gb/ɹɪlˈʌktənt/ us/ɹɪlˈʌktənt/
B1
English
~ 7700
vonakodó, kelletlen, nem szívesen
B1
1
Usage pattern:
be reluctant to [do something]
She was reluctant to share details of her personal life with the media.
Nem szívesen osztott meg részleteket a magánéletéről a médiával.
Many employees are reluctant to return to the office full-time.
Sok alkalmazott vonakodik teljes munkaidőben visszatérni az irodába.
He gave a reluctant nod and agreed to help.
I’m reluctant to make any promises until we have more information.
The company was reluctant to admit that it had made a mistake.
Learner examples
She is reluctant to speak in front of many people.
Nem szívesen beszél sok ember előtt.
He is reluctant to change his plans.
Vonakodik megváltoztatni a terveit.
I was reluctant to ask my boss for more money.
They were reluctant to sell their family home.
The child is reluctant to go to bed early.
Common mistake:
Learners often say *"reluctant of do something"* or *"reluctant for do something"*. The usual pattern is **"reluctant to do something"** (e.g., "She is reluctant to help"). We can also say **"reluctant about [something]"** (e.g., "He is reluctant about the move"), but not *"reluctant of"* in standard English.
Meaning
Unwilling or not eager to do
Collocations
be reluctant to
|deeply reluctant
|initially reluctant
|understandably reluctant
|reluctant to talk
|reluctant to change
Synonyms
unwilling (Direct and neutral; often a bit stronger and more definite than "reluctant.")
|
hesitant (Stresses pause or uncertainty more than lack of desire.)
|
disinclined (Slightly more formal; suggests a mild but clear lack of desire.)
|
loath (Formal/literary; often used in the pattern "loath to do something.")
Antonyms
willing (Shows that someone is ready and happy to do something.)
|
eager (Stronger; suggests very keen and excited to do something.)
|
keen (Especially in British English, means wanting very much to do something.)
Themes
emotions
|daily life
|work
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Not wanting to do something, or feeling that you do not want to do it.
Not willing or not eager to do something, often because you feel unsure, unhappy, or do not really want to.
Grammar
Dictionary form
reluctant
IPA
GB/ɹɪlˈʌktənt/
US/ɹɪlˈʌktənt/
Syllables & stress
re - luct - ant (3 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (luct)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: reluctant
Word family
Core family
reluctance
noun B1
reluctantly
adverb B1
Expressions
be reluctant to
1/bˈi ɹɪlˈʌktənt tə/
fixed phrase
Not wanting to do something
To not really want to do something, often because you feel unsure or unhappy about it.
Examples
- Many parents are reluctant to let their children use social media.
- I would be reluctant to recommend that restaurant after our last visit.
- He is reluctant to make a decision until he has more data.
reluctant hero
1/ɹɪlˈʌktənt hˈɪɹoʊ/
fixed phrase
Hero who does not seek the role
A person who does something brave or good and becomes a hero, but did not want or look for this role.
Examples
- In the film, a reluctant hero is pushed into saving the world.
- The firefighter described himself as a reluctant hero after rescuing the family from the fire.