David was reluctant to admit his mistakes.
•Although reluctant to appear in court, the witness was ordered to by subpoena.
Dictionary of American idioms. 2013.
reluctant — re|luc|tant [ rı lʌktənt ] adjective ** not willing to do something: reluctant to do something: She was reluctant to discuss the case in any detail. a. used for describing a feeling that you have but you wish you did not have: She felt a… … Usage of the words and phrases in modern English
reluctant */*/ — UK [rɪˈlʌktənt] / US adjective not willing to do something reluctant to do something: She was reluctant to leave. a) used for describing someone who is doing something but does not really want to a reluctant convert/witness/guest b) used for… … English dictionary
reluctant — [[t]rɪlʌ̱ktənt[/t]] ♦♦♦ ADJ GRADED: usu v link ADJ to inf If you are reluctant to do something, you are unwilling to do it and hesitate before doing it, or do it slowly and without enthusiasm. Mr Spero was reluctant to ask for help... The police… … English dictionary
reluctant — [17] To be reluctant about doing something is etymologically to ‘struggle against’ it. The word comes from the present participle of Latin reluctārī, a compound verb formed from the prefix re ‘against’ and luctārī ‘struggle’. Among the first… … The Hutchinson dictionary of word origins
reluctant — [17] To be reluctant about doing something is etymologically to ‘struggle against’ it. The word comes from the present participle of Latin reluctārī, a compound verb formed from the prefix re ‘against’ and luctārī ‘struggle’. Among the first… … Word origins
reluctant — [ri luk′tənt] adj. [L reluctans, prp. of reluctari, to resist < re , against + luctari, to struggle: see LOCK1] 1. opposed in mind (to do something); unwilling; disinclined 2. marked by unwillingness [a reluctant answer] 3. Rare struggling… … English World dictionary
reluctant — re•luc•tant [[t]rɪˈlʌk tənt[/t]] adj. 1) unwilling; disinclined: a reluctant candidate[/ex] 2) marked by hesitation or slowness because of unwillingness: a reluctant promise[/ex] • Etymology: 1655–65; < L reluctant , s. of reluctāns, prp. of… … From formal English to slang
reluctant — reluctantly, adv. /ri luk teuhnt/, adj. 1. unwilling; disinclined: a reluctant candidate. 2. struggling in opposition. [1655 65; < L reluctant (s. of reluctans), prp. of reluctari. See RELUCT, ANT] Syn. 1. RELUCTANT, LOATH, AVERSE describe… … Universalium
Something About Dr. Mary — Infobox Television episode | Title = Something About Dr. Mary Series = Frasier Season = 7 Episode = 16 Airdate = 17 February 2000 Production = Writer = Jay Kogen Director = Will Shriner Guests = Kim Coles (Mary Thomas) Scott Lowell (Chuck) Gloria … Wikipedia
reluctant — I (Roget s IV) modif. Syn. disinclined, loath, hesitant, unwilling, averse, opposed, backward, laggard, remiss, slack, squeamish, demurring, grudging, involuntary, uncertain, hanging back, hesitating, diffident, with bad grace, indisposed,… … English dictionary for students
reluctant — adjective 1) when it came to trying something new, her parents were usually reluctant Syn: unwilling, disinclined, unenthusiastic, resistant, resisting, opposed; hesitant Ant: willing, eager 2) a reluctant smile Sy … Thesaurus of popular words
