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Rueful Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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rueful

[หˆruหfษ™l ]

Definition

Context #1 | Adjective

feeling regret

Rueful describes a feeling of regret or sorrow, often accompanied by a sense of irony or disappointment. It indicates an acknowledgment of a mistake or misfortune, usually with a wry or bittersweet sentiment. A rueful tone can suggest a mixture of sadness and humor. People often use this term when reflecting on past decisions or situations that did not turn out as expected.

Synonyms

contrite, regretful, remorseful, sorrowful, wry.

Examples of usage

  • She gave a rueful smile after recalling her blunder.
  • His rueful comments about missed opportunities resonated with the audience.
  • The teacher's rueful acknowledgment of the mistake made the students laugh.
  • After the game, he felt a rueful sense of loss.

Translations

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Interesting Facts

Literature

  • In Shakespeare's plays, characters often express rueful feelings when confronted with the consequences of their actions.
  • The term is frequently used in poetry to evoke deep emotional responses, highlighting a characterโ€™s internal struggle.
  • Modern literature often depicts characters as rueful after realizing their mistakes, making them relatable to readers.

Psychology

  • Feeling rueful is closely linked to experiences of guilt and remorse, which can impact mental health.
  • Research indicates that rueful feelings can motivate personal growth and positive behavioral changes.
  • Understanding ruefulness can help in emotional regulation, allowing individuals to reconcile with past mistakes.

Pop Culture

  • Characters in films and TV shows often display rueful expressions when facing the aftermath of poor decisions, making the audience empathize with their plight.
  • In music, songs often express rueful themes, reflecting on lost love or missed opportunities, resonating with listeners.
  • This sentiment is prevalent in cartoons, where a character's rueful look can signify comic failure, lightening serious themes.

Origin of 'rueful'

Main points about word origin

  • The word comes from the Old English 'rลซfan', which means to feel regret or sorrow.
  • It shares roots with the word 'rue', which means to regret bitterly.
  • The term has been used in English since the 14th century, showing its long-standing presence in the language.

The word 'rueful' originates from the Old English word 'rลซgan', which means to feel sorrow or regret. Its roots can be traced back to the Proto-Germanic '*rลซganan', which also conveyed a sense of lamentation. The term made its way into Middle English as 'ruele', evolving into its current form over time. The prefix 'rue-' relates to the verb 'rue', meaning to feel regret or remorse. This connection further emphasizes the emotional undertone of rueful, illustrating how the word encapsulates a deep, reflective sorrow often tinged with irony or humor. Over centuries, rueful has come to be used in various literary contexts, often to describe characters who reflect on their past with a mix of regret and acceptance.

Word Frequency Rank

At rank #25,801, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.