Words / B2

ri-LUKT-uh-nt/rɪˈlʌktənt/

Reluctant means unwilling, or willing only with hesitation: reluctant to + verb. Unwilling is blunter; reluctant often suggests you could do it but do not want to, while hesitant is about uncertainty rather than resistance. Reluctance is the noun and reluctantly the adverb (she agreed reluctantly); reports often say ministers were reluctant to admit…

Meaning

Not wanting to do something.

Examples

• “He was reluctant to speak in front of the class.”
• “Banks have been reluctant to lend to small firms.”
• “She was reluctant to criticise her colleagues in public.”

Good to know

reluctant to + verb. Noun: reluctance. Softer than unwilling; more resistant than hesitant.

Near in meaning

unwilling

New