reluctant Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. adjective satellite unwillingness to do something contrary to your custom
    loath; loth.
    • a reluctant smile
    • loath to admit a mistake
  2. adjective satellite disinclined to become involved
    • they were usually reluctant to socialize
    • reluctant to help
  3. adjective satellite not eager
    • foreigners stubbornly reluctant to accept our ways
    • fresh from college and reluctant for the moment to marry him

WordNet

Re*luc"tant adjective
Etymology
L. reluctans, -antis, p. pr. of reluctari. See Reluct.
Definitions
  1. Striving against; opposed in desire; unwilling; disinclined; loth.
    Reluctant, but in vain. Milton.
    Reluctant now I touched the trembling string. Tickell.
  2. Proceeding from an unwilling mind; granted with reluctance; as, reluctant obedience. Mitford. Syn. -- Averse; unwilling; loth; disinclined; repugnant; backward; coy. See Averse.

Webster 1913