What does reluctant mean?
Word: Reluctant
Part of Speech: Adjective
Meaning: Reluctant means not wanting to do something, and so slow or unwilling to do it.
Synonyms: unwilling, hesitant, grudging
Antonyms: willing, eager, keen
Word origin: Comes from Latin reluctari, to struggle against.
How do you spell reluctant?
Syllables: re - luc - tant
Tricky part: The ending is ant, not ent, as in pleasant and important.
Watch out for: reluctent, reluctunt, reluctint
Memory tip: Picture a reluctant ant dragging its feet: the word ends in ant.
Reluctant in a sentence
Example 1: Meher was reluctant to sing on stage because she felt shy in front of the whole school.
Example 2: The dog was reluctant to get into the car after its last visit to the vet.
Example 3: He gave a reluctant nod and handed over the remote.
Fun Fact
When reluctant first appeared in English in the 1600s, it meant struggling or fighting back. The gentler sense, simply unwilling, came later.
Practise the CREST Way
Spell-o-Spell
Choose the incorrectly spelt word:
a) vigilant
b) riluctant
c) elegant
d) extravagant
Show answer
b) riluctant. The word starts with re, the same re as in return.
Word Cookie
Find the extra letter in the word:
relucktant
a) a
b) t
c) k
d) c
Show answer
c) k. Luc is written with c alone; the k creeps in from words like luck.
Mingle-Mangle
Form a meaningful word from the jumbled letters:
nculteart
a) redundant
b) reluctant
c) relevant
d) resultant
Show answer
b) reluctant. There is a c and no s, v or d, so only reluctant fits.
Word Connection
Choose the antonym of the word: reluctant
a) averse
b) doubtful
c) enthusiastic
d) weary
Show answer
c) enthusiastic. An enthusiastic person is happy to do something, the opposite of reluctant.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. A reluctant helper is one who ____.
a) helps cheerfully
b) pays others to help
c) refuses to help at all
d) helps but does not want to
Show answer
d) helps but does not want to
2. Which phrase best describes a reluctant reader?
a) a child who reads only when told to
b) a child who reads aloud loudly
c) a child who reads above her age
d) a child who reads very slowly
Show answer
a) a child who reads only when told to
