reluctant
gb/ɹɪlˈʌktənt/ us/ɹɪlˈʌktənt/
B1
English
~ 7700
Senses
0 senses
adjective
B1
property
1
Unwilling or not eager to do
Not wanting to do something, or feeling that you do not want to do it.
Usage pattern:
be reluctant to [do something]
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.
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.)
Collocations
be reluctant to
|deeply reluctant
|initially reluctant
|understandably reluctant
|reluctant to talk
|reluctant to change
Themes
emotions
|daily life
|work
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- She was reluctant to share details of her personal life with the media.
- Many employees are reluctant to return to the office full-time.
- 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.
- He is reluctant to change his plans.
- 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.
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.