rueful

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "rueful" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a feeling of regret or sorrow, often in a slightly humorous or ironic way. Example: "He gave a rueful smile as he recalled the mistakes he had made in his youth."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

His record - two cups within six months of his appointment, a domestic treble in his first full season, a second title in 2005 and reaching the last 16 of the Champions League - set the context for a rueful but masterfully understated parting comment: "I'm sure those people who look at the facts will say that during a period of downsizing, I was reasonably successful".

The Guardian - Sport

Jade sees me reading it and allows herself a rueful smile.

The Guardian

It isn't really a moan, or a dig, not this time; only the rueful observation of a man who misses his girlfriend, currently 5,000 miles away.

The Guardian - Music

His name is Frédéric Auburtin, and judging by a charmingly rueful interview with the New York Times, his next feature film will not be trailed with the teaser: "FROM THE DIRECTOR WHO BOUGHT YOU UNITED PASSIONS … YOU KNOW, THE FIFA VANITY MOVIE".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

In private he was quite frank and rueful about what he called the 'Plath fantasia', which is to say the great myth that had grown up about their relationship, which was inexact".

The Guardian

One Confucian Chinese says with a rueful smile that most of the pretty girls at university were Christians and would date only other Christians.Holier and trendier than thouChristianity also follows Chinese migration.

The Economist

I have no difficulty, in France, with jusqu'à un certain point when accompanied by the open palms, the exaggerated shrug and rueful grimace.

The Economist

They criticised the administration not for going to war in Iraq but for doing so in a way that imperilled American lives, harmed America's reputation and compromised the wider war on terrorism.Even Al Gore was rueful rather than bitter, eschewing his recent attacks on the administration.

The Economist

It was as if, in the 1950s, a fuss had been made over art done with ball-point pens.The politics came over more as attitude than agenda in rueful musing on the unknown effects of technical change and economic growth.

The Economist

Orders poured in, and Saarland though once a bit of a joke to Germans in the Reich, the locals' rueful name for the rest of the country—outpaced Germany's growth.

The Economist

When Life magazine refused to serialise one of his novels, he responded, with rueful surprise: "I am less well known than Hitler".The war was an important turning point.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "rueful" to express regret or sorrow, often with a hint of irony or gentle humor. It's particularly effective when acknowledging a mistake or misfortune without being overly dramatic.

Common error

Avoid using "rueful" when expressing intense grief or profound guilt. It's better suited for situations where there's a mix of sadness and acceptance, not overwhelming despair.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "rueful" is as an adjective. It modifies nouns to describe a state of feeling or expressing sorrow or regret. Ludwig AI confirms this usage with numerous examples showing "rueful" describing smiles, observations, and comments.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Encyclopedias

7%

Science

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Social Media

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "rueful" is a versatile adjective used to describe feelings or expressions of regret or sorrow, often tempered with a hint of humor or acceptance. As Ludwig AI confirms, the word is grammatically sound and frequently appears in news and media, showcasing its ability to convey complex emotions. When writing, remember that "rueful" is best used when acknowledging a mistake or misfortune without being overly dramatic. It's crucial to understand the word's nuance to avoid misapplication in situations requiring more intense expressions of grief. Alternatives like "regretful", "remorseful", or "contrite" may be more appropriate depending on the context. The prevalence of "rueful" across reputable sources underlines its status as a valuable word in the English lexicon.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

regretful

Focuses specifically on the feeling of regret about something.

remorseful

Implies a deeper sense of guilt and sorrow for past actions.

contrite

Suggests a sincere feeling of being sorry and willing to atone.

apologetic

Expresses a willingness to apologize and make amends.

penitent

Indicates a state of repentance and regret for sins or wrongdoings.

mournful

Emphasizes sorrow and sadness, often associated with loss.

sorrowful

A general term for feeling or expressing sorrow.

lamenting

Expresses deep sorrow or regret through outward expression.

pained

Describes someone experiencing emotional or physical pain.

wistful

Suggests a longing or yearning, often tinged with sadness.

FAQs

How can I use "rueful" in a sentence?

You can use "rueful" to describe a feeling or expression of regret or sorrow. For example: "He gave a "rueful" smile when he realized his mistake."

What are some alternatives to saying "rueful"?

Some alternatives to "rueful" include "regretful", "remorseful", or "contrite", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say someone has a "rueful expression"?

Yes, it is correct. A "rueful expression" indicates that someone's face shows a mixture of sadness and regret.

What's the difference between "rueful" and "sad"?

"Rueful" implies a specific type of sadness mixed with regret, often about something the person did or something that happened to them, whereas "sad" is a more general term for unhappiness. For example, someone might feel sad about world events but have a "rueful" look when remembering a personal error.