rueful

[ roo-fuhl ]

adjective

1. causing sorrow or pity; pitiable; deplorable:

   a rueful plight.

2. feeling, showing, or expressing sorrow, repentance, or regret:

   the rueful look on her face.

rueful

/ ˈruːfʊl /

adjective

1. feeling or expressing sorrow or repentance

   a rueful face

2. inspiring sorrow or pity

Derived Forms

• ˈruefully, adverb
• ˈruefulness, noun

Other Words From

• rue·ful·ly adverb
• rue·ful·ness noun
• half-rue·ful adjective
• un·rue·ful adjective
• un·rue·ful·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of rueful¹

First recorded in 1175–1225, rueful is from the Middle English word reowful; rue ¹, -ful

Example Sentences

A more rueful Norris acknowledged that events had given Ocon and Verstappen the chance to bank track position, and to change their tyres for free.

From BBC

The Swede was left in rueful tears after the match was lost by a single hole, with Korda being awarded an eagle because her ball might have fallen below ground on that 13th hole.

From BBC

“Don’t be fooled,” he says with a rueful smile.

From BBC

“No. That wasn’t even my plan,” the same staffer replied with a rueful laugh.

From Los Angeles Times

“Sometimes, when I think about what happened, I wish I did not go to school,” said Jennifer with a rueful grin.

From Seattle Times

Related Words

• mournful
• sad