Word
rue
US/ˈɹu/
UK/ɹˈuː/
Definitions
01to regret
C1 · Advanced Literary · Formal
v. to feel very sorry about something you did and wish you could change it.
v. to feel sorrow or regret for a past action or event. Transitive — always takes a direct object, often a decision or a specific day.
“He will rue the day he decided to quit his job without a plan.”
“The former CEO lived to rue his decision to sell the company's patents, watching helplessly as his competitors dominated the market.”
Usage
Commonly appears in the fixed expression 'rue the day'.
02a bitter plant
C2 · Proficiency Uncountable noun Science Technical
n. a small plant with yellow flowers and a very bitter taste, sometimes used in old medicines.
n. any of various perennial shrubs of the genus Ruta, characterized by bitter-tasting leaves and historically used in herbal medicine.
“The garden was filled with herbs like rosemary, thyme, and rue.”
“In traditional herbalism, rue was often cultivated for its supposed medicinal properties, despite its extreme bitterness and potential toxicity.”
Usage
Usually uncountable when referring to the plant species generally.
Synonyms
Real-World Examples
“World Cup quarterfinalists Norway were left to rue some wasteful finishing in front of goal as they failed to build on their opening 3-2 win over Denmark.” “Yamal then set up Dani Olmo, who flashed wide as Spain rued yet another miss.” Idioms
01. rue the day
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990EikenEikenTest in Practical English ProficiencyThe English proficiency test from the Eiken Foundation of Japan, widely taken by Japanese students. Grades run from 5 to 1, with Pre-1 and Pre-2 between them.Grade 1
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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