NSW Selective & Scholarship

Learn “Rueful”

A free exam-vocabulary guide with a precise meaning, natural context and a memory connection that makes the word easier to retrieve.

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NSW Selective & Scholarship

Rueful

adjective/ROO-fuhl/

Meaning

Showing gentle regret or sadness about something, often with a small smile.

In context

With a rueful shrug, she admitted she should have studied harder.

Remember it

Rueful — you 'rue' (regret) it, so your face shows quiet, wistful sorrow.

Use it well

Use for a mild, wry regret, often paired with a smile or shrug in stories.