ruefully

American  

[roo-fuh-lee] / ˈru fə li /

adverb

1. in a mournful or doleful way.

   I found myself sitting ruefully by the side of the road, near a little town in North Carolina, waiting for a tow truck.

2. in a way that suggests repentance or regret.

   He is aware of his own flaws, at times ruefully so.

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Other Word Forms

• half-ruefully adverb
• unruefully adverb

Etymology

Origin of ruefully

rueful ( def. ) + -ly

Explanation

When you do something in a way that expresses regret, you’re doing it ruefully. If someone asks you about your Saturday night and you smile ruefully in response . . . well . . . you probably made some poor choices. The origin of the word ruefully is a Germanic word that means “repentance.” But over time the word has adopted a slightly humorous tone, so you can go ahead and shake your head ruefully at your friend who has just put his boot on the wrong foot — you feel a little bit sorry for him at the moment. You might grin ruefully when asked about how many pairs of shoes you bought on your trip.

Example Sentences

"Let's hope maybe next year will be a better year for me," Sabalenka said ruefully.

From Barron's • Jan. 31, 2026

This last comment came from a fellow traveler, ruefully disclosing an act of self-defense many years ago.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 9, 2025

Those now nursing massive losses on Fiserv’s stock may ruefully agree, although the president presumably meant listeners to understand Bisignano as having fixed messes rather than having created them.

From MarketWatch • Oct. 29, 2025

She, too, counseled frankness regarding price—though she acknowledged, ruefully, that she has encountered sommeliers who judge customers based on how much they want to spend.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 9, 2025

“It is just as well,” she thought ruefully, as she worked a fresh coat of Miss Mortimer’s poultice into her hair.

From "The Unseen Guest" by Maryrose Wood