Read full poem →Account as wood, brick, stone, this ring
Of the rueful neighbours, and--forth to thee!
Dictionary Entry
Causing, feeling, or expressing regret or sorrow, especially in a wry or humorous way.
Origin
Origin details are still being enriched for this entry.
Common Phrases
smile rueful. ruefulgrin ruefulcountenance ruefullaugh ruefulface ruefulrueful rather
Missing dictionary details are being fetched in the background.
Antonyms
No antonyms yet.
Poetry examples for “rueful”
Excerpts from the ReadingWillow English Library collection.
Read full poem →Neither refused the meeting. But the hand!
The boy's first outcry was a rueful laugh,
As he swung toward them holding up the hand
Read full poem →Neither refused the meeting. But the hand!
The boy's first outcry was a rueful laugh.
As he swung toward them holding up the hand
Read full poem →Young Fancy--how I loved him all the while--
Stared at his note-book with a rueful smile.