Loath/loathe

They're pronounced differently too.

I am loath to get the vacuum cleaner out of the cupboard because I loathe cleaning.

(not really, I love cleaning )

Oh yes, but I’m not saying which. I might get unpleasant comments.

Is loath with the emphasis on the ‘th’ and loathe pronounced as ‘loadh’ ? Just asking …

I pronounce both in the same way but when writing use the correct one.

Perhaps it's my dialect!!

Loathe is a softer 'th' sound whereas 'loath' ends more abruptly. It's difficult to explain!!

Loath is produced using a voiceless interdental fricative. Loathe is produced using a voiced interdental fricative.

They have confused me in the past so I tend to say “reluctant” instead of loath.

Aveline

Loath is produced using a voiceless interdental fricative. Loathe is produced using a voiced interdental fricative.

Oh, thanks Aveline!!
As I said, every day's a school day on GN 😄

The ‘th’ in ‘loathe’ is like the ‘th’ in ‘this’

In ‘loath’ it’s like the ‘th’ in ‘broth’.

I am loath to admit it, Callistemon, but I do loathe housework.
(Actually I’m not, I don’t care who knows!).

Well I've learnt something today. I never knew there was more than one spelling/ meaning of this word. English and grammar are my strong points, or so I thought. Feeling shamed now

I've learned something new today as well thanks Aveline

crazyH

Is loath with the emphasis on the ‘th’ and loathe pronounced as ‘loadh’ ? Just asking …

I have always said loath as lowth and loathe with a much longer o if you get what I mean.

I have a feeling that these two words are pronounced differently in Scotland and England, or at least the south of England.

Yes, they way I say it anyway, the ‘oa’ in loathe is longer. ‘Loath’ has a relatively short vowel sound.

It's all down to the voiced/voiceless 'th/the'.