rueful
pronunciation
How to pronounce rueful in British English: UK [ˈru:fl]
How to pronounce rueful in American English: US [ˈrufəl]
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- Adjective:
- feeling or expressing pain or sorrow for sins or offenses
Word Origin
- rueful (adj.)
- early 13c., rewfulle, reowfule, from rue (n.2) + -ful. Related: Ruefulness.
Example
- 1. He pauses and gives a rueful smile .
- 2. He was rueful for joining the army .
- 3. He thought of her with a rueful smile .
- 4. Ciara shot her a rueful look as she poured herself a cup of coffee .
- 5. One rival wall street executive describes goldman ( with rueful admiration ) as " a bunch of clever thugs " .