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ruefulexpressing sorrow or regret, especially when also showing slight amusement

Part of speech: ADJECTIVE

Definition: expressing sorrow or regret, especially when also showing slight amusement

Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈruːfəl/

Korean meaning: 후회나 슬픔을 나타내는, 특히 약간의 쓴웃음과 함께

Korean pronunciation: **루**풀

Example Sentences

  • Tom gave a rueful grin after realizing he had been wearing his shirt inside out all day.
  • With a rueful sigh, she looked at her empty wallet after the shopping spree.
  • His rueful confession about eating the last piece of cake made everyone laugh.

rueful

ADJECTIVE

//ˈruːfəl//

expressing sorrow or regret, especially when also showing slight amusement

rueful concept
💡 Concept

The baker gives a rueful smile at their completely collapsed birthday cake

rueful rhyme
🎵 Rhyme

A rueful grandfather stays truthful with his youthful grandson!

🎤Pronunciation

🇺🇸 US/ˈruːfəl/
🇬🇧 UK/ˈruːfəl/

🌳Etymology

Rootrue
Suffix--ful

Origin

From Old English 'hreow' meaning sorrow or regret, which became 'rue' (to regret) in Middle English. The suffix '-ful' was added to create 'rueful,' literally meaning 'full of regret.'

🎵Rhyme

truthfulyouthfuluseful
truthful
youthful
useful

🔗Collocations

rueful smile
rueful expression
rueful laugh
rueful admission
rueful shake of the head
rueful reflection

📝Examples

😄 Fun example

Tom gave a rueful grin after realizing he had been wearing his shirt inside out all day.

With a rueful sigh, she looked at her empty wallet after the shopping spree.

😄 Fun example

His rueful confession about eating the last piece of cake made everyone laugh.

She shook her head with rueful amusement at her own clumsiness.

📚Related Words

Synonyms

regretfulsorrowfulremorsefulrepentantcontrite

Antonyms

unrepentantproudsatisfied

Related

rueregretsorrowremorsemelancholy

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