First Known Use: 1667
Dictionary
reluctant
adjective re·luc·tant \ri-ˈlək-tənt\
: feeling or showing doubt about doing something : not willing or eager to do something
Full Definition of RELUCTANT
: feeling or showing aversion, hesitation, or unwillingness <reluctant to get involved>; also : having or assuming a specified role unwillingly <a reluctant hero>
— re·luc·tant·ly adverb
See reluctant defined for English-language learners
See reluctant defined for kids
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Examples of RELUCTANT
- 94% of the butterflies are females, and they jostle for the attention of the few males, who seem reluctant suitors. —Carl Zimmer, Science, 11 May 2001
- The man swore sullenly. He went over to a corner and slowly began to put on his coat. He took his hat and went out, with a dragging, reluctant step. —Stephen Crane, Maggie: A Girl of the Streets, 1893
- The woman seemed desirous, yet reluctant, to speak, and answered, in low, mysterious tone. —Harriet Beecher Stowe, Uncle Tom's Cabin, 1852
- When I missed five in a row and was reluctant to take the next shot or didn't really follow through, my teammates would yell, “Brick!” —Bill Bradley, New York Times, 18 Dec. 1994
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Origin of RELUCTANT
Latin reluctant-, reluctans, present participle of reluctari to struggle against, from re- + luctari to struggle
Related to RELUCTANT
Synonym Discussion of RELUCTANT
disinclined, hesitant, reluctant, loath, averse mean lacking the will or desire to do something indicated. disinclined implies lack of taste for or inclination <disinclined to move again> <disinclined for reading>. hesitant implies a holding back especially through fear or uncertainty <hesitant about asking for a date>. reluctant implies a holding back through unwillingness <a reluctant witness>. loath implies hesitancy because of conflict with one's opinions, predilections, or liking <seems loath to trust anyone>. averse implies a holding back from or avoiding because of distaste or repugnance <averse to hard work> <not averse to an occasional drink>.
RELUCTANTLY Defined for Kids
reluctant
adjective re·luc·tant \ri-ˈlək-tənt\
Definition of RELUCTANT for Kids
: showing doubt or unwillingness <She was reluctant to go.>
— re·luc·tant·ly adverb
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