Rue

/ruː/

Meaning & Definition

noun

sorrow or regret.

There was a sense of rue in his voice as he spoke about the lost opportunities.

a bitter herb used in medicine and cooking.

The chef added rue to the sauce for a unique flavor.

verb

to feel remorse or regret for something.

He will rue the day he dismissed her talent.

to wish that something had not happened.

She ruefully recalled her mistakes from the past.

Middle English, from the Old French 'ruer', from Latin 'rugere' meaning to cry out.

rue the day

to regret a specific event or decision that has lasting consequences.

rue the loss

to feel sorrowful about something that has been lost.

remorse

a deep sense of regret or guilt for a wrong committed.

regret

a feeling of sadness or disappointment over something that has happened or been done.

to feel bad about a decision or action.

He really rues not studying hard enough for the test.

to express sorrow or disappointment in a casual way.

I'm rueing my choice to skip that party.