ruefully

rue·ful

R r

Transcription

- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
- UK Pronunciation
- UK IPA
- [roo-fuh l]
- /ˈru fəl/
- /ˈruː.fəl/

- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
- [roo-fuh l]
- /ˈru fəl/

Definitions of ruefully word

adjective ruefully causing sorrow or pity; pitiable; deplorable: a rueful plight. 1
adjective ruefully feeling, showing, or expressing sorrow or pity; mournful; doleful: the rueful look on her face. 1
adverb ruefully sadly, with regret 1

See all 3 definitions of ruefully

Information block about the term

Origin of ruefully

First appearance:

before 1175

One of the 8% oldest English words

First recorded in 1175-1225, rueful is from the Middle English word reowful. See rue1, -ful

Historical Comparancy

Parts of speech for Ruefully

noun

adjective

verb

adverb

pronoun

preposition

conjunction

determiner

exclamation

Full grammatical hierarchy of Ruefully

ruefully popularity

A common word. It’s meaning is known to most children of preschool age. About 80% of English native speakers know the meaning and use the word.

This word is included in each student's vocabulary. Most likely there is at least one movie with this word in the title.

ruefully usage trend in Literature

This diagram is provided by Google Ngram Viewer

Synonyms for ruefully

adverb ruefully

apologetically — containing an apology or excuse for a fault, failure, insult, injury, etc.: An apologetic letter to his creditors explained the delay.
ashamedly — feeling shame; distressed or embarrassed by feelings of guilt, foolishness, or disgrace: He felt ashamed for having spoken so cruelly.
guiltily — having committed an offense, crime, violation, or wrong, especially against moral or penal law; justly subject to a certain accusation or penalty; culpable: The jury found her guilty of murder.

All 3 Synonyms of ruefully