reluctant
Word family
Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English 5++LDOCE 5++re·luc·tant /rɪˈlʌktənt/ ●●○ AWL adjective WILLINGslow and unwilling 勉强的，不情愿的 OPP willing She gave a reluctant smile. 她勉强笑了笑。reluctant to do something Maddox was reluctant to talk about it. 马多克斯不愿意谈论此事。 —reluctantly adverb Reluctantly, he agreed. 他答应了，但是很勉强。Examples from the Corpus
reluctant• Becoming a donor is a simple process, but many people remain reluctant.• In exchange modern man gives his external achievement and his reluctant faithfulness.• Stores have cut prices to attract reluctant shoppers.• However many couples who have been unable to have children, are, understandably, reluctant to adopt mentally handicapped children.• But Western culture was very reluctant to authenticate reports of meteorite falls.• The authorities have been reluctant to crack down on pachinko for other reasons as well.• He seemed somewhat reluctant to explain, but finally did so.• Anybody who's actually been in a war is very reluctant to see other people stumbling into an unnecessary one.• In any case many rulers were for long reluctant to send ambassadors to foreign capitals if a lower-ranking representative would suffice.• In any case, lawyers are typically reluctant to take on such cases because they are time-consuming and difficult.• Some of the older staff were reluctant to use the new equipment.reluctant to do something• The abbot was reluctant to allow the Brethren to join in.• Upon completion of this much work on the proposal, some students suddenly become reluctant to carry the project any further.• However, there is a degree of discretion allowed within this legislation which Orkney's planners were reluctant to employ.• Nygaard styles herself as a bruiser, reluctant to leave the interior.• When I was an employee on a comfortable and secure salary they were reluctant to lend me money.• At first, the bank was reluctant to lend me the money.• Even trade unionists were reluctant to show solidarity.• Women can form a communal bond quickly, but may be reluctant to stand up for their personal views.• Urged to remove them, police were reluctant to turn shivering people out into the polar night.Origin reluctant (1600-1700) Latin present participle of reluctari “to fight against”re·luc·tant adjectiveChineseSyllable
unwilling Corpus slow and
reluctant
re‧luc‧tant AC /rɪˈlʌktənt/
adjective
OPP willing:
She gave a reluctant smile.
reluctant to do something
Maddox was reluctant to talk about it.
—reluctantly adverb:
Reluctantly, he agreed.
▪ unwilling/not willing not wanting to do something and refusing to do it: She's unwilling to admit that she was wrong. | Stuart was an unwilling participant in the shooting. | Put away any toys the child is not willing to share, to avoid any problems.
▪reluctant not willing to do something, although you may be persuaded after a while. Also used when someone does something after at first being unwilling to do it: He was reluctant to talk about his childhood. | She gave a reluctant smile. | the government's reluctant agreement to hold talks | a reluctant hero
▪grudging given unwillingly – used about admiration, respect, support, or an apology: He gave her a grudging apology. | He could not help feeling a grudging admiration for the old lady.
▪be loath to do something to not want to do something, especially something that you might have to do – a rather formal use: He has more staff than he needs, but he is loath to get rid of good people.
re‧luc‧tant AC /rɪˈlʌktənt/
adjective Date: 1600-1700
Language: Latin
Origin: present participle of reluctari 'to fight against'
slow and unwilling Language: Latin
Origin: present participle of reluctari 'to fight against'
OPP willing:
reluctant to do something
—reluctantly adverb:
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