One letter makes all the difference

Loathe (rhymes with clothe) is a verb meaning to dislike intensely, to detest or to hate

• She enjoyed eating most fruits, but she loathed pineapple; even the smell made her feel sick.
• His strictly austere Presbyterian family brought him up to loathe Catholics because of their ritual and finery.

Loath (rhymes with both) is an adjective meaning unwilling or reluctant

• The water was calm, but so bitterly cold that he was loath to jump in.
• Her boss’s reputation for sexual harassment was so well known that she was loath to enter his office alone.