How to pronounce loathe
Say it like LOHTH. Loathe is a single syllable, so the whole word carries the stress.
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce loathe. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- LOHTH
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Loathe pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- LOHTHSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "o" in go.
American vs British pronunciation of loathe
- The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh".
British respelling: LOHTH.
What does loathe mean?
- To detest, hate, or revile (someone or something).“I loathe scrubbing toilets.”
Where does loathe come from?
From Middle English lothe, from Old English lāþian, from Proto-West Germanic *laiþēn, from Proto-Germanic *laiþāną.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with loathe
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of loathe.
Questions about saying loathe
How do you pronounce loathe?
Say LOHTH. The American pronunciation is /loʊð/. In British English it is /ləʊð/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in loathe?
Loathe is a single syllable, so the whole word carries the stress. Broken into parts: LOHTH.
Is loathe pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh". The British form is /ləʊð/ (LOHTH).