Standard Lemma guide

ruefully

adv · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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  • US: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
  • CMU ARPABET: R UW1 F AH0 L IY0 Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.

1

adv

Meaning 1

In a rueful manner; causing, feeling, or expressing regret or sorrow.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Examples

  • He smiled ruefully at me.
  • He pushed his straw hat back, scratched his head, and laughed ruefully.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

adverb

Meaning 2

in a rueful manner

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • `I made a big mistake,' he said ruefully

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: contritely, remorsefully

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

Etymology tree Proto-Germanic *hrewwaną Proto-West Germanic *hreuwan Proto-Indo-European *-h2 Proto-Indo-European *-éh2 Proto-Germanic *-ō Proto-West Germanic *-u Proto-West Germanic *hreuwu Old English hrēow Middle English rewe Proto-Indo-European *pleh1- Proto-Indo-European *-nós Proto-Indo-European *pl̥h1nós Proto-Germanic *fullaz Proto-Germanic *-fullaz Old English -ful Middle English -ful Middle English reuful English rueful Proto-Indo-European *leyg-der. Proto-Germanic *līkąder. Proto-Germanic *-līkaz Proto-Germanic *-ê Proto-Germanic *-līkê Proto-West Germanic *-līkē Old English -līċe Middle English -ly English -ly English ruefully From rueful + -ly.

Across languages

Translations

3 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Russian: грустно (grustno) — in a rueful manner; causing, feeling or expressing regret or sorrow
  • Russian: печально (pečalʹno) — in a rueful manner; causing, feeling or expressing regret or sorrow
  • Russian: уныло (unylo) — in a rueful manner; causing, feeling or expressing regret or sorrow