Rueful: meaning, pronunciation and examples
Rueful adjective. Showing regret, often with a touch of wry humour.
How to say it
ROO-ful/ˈruːfʊl/
2 syllables, stressed on the first (ROO).
Rueful in a sentence
He gave a rueful grin and admitted the shortcut had added an hour.
Her rueful laugh at the burnt cake made everyone relax.
Similar and opposite
Similar:
- regretful
- sheepish
- apologetic
- wry
Where rueful comes from
From rue, regret or sorrow, an Old English word.
Test yourself
Which word fills the gap?
Her _____ laugh at the burnt cake made everyone relax.
- lugubrious
- rueful
- disconsolate
Show the answer
rueful: Her rueful laugh at the burnt cake made everyone relax.