rue

Everyday

1. (formal, literary) To rue something means to feel sorry about it and wish it had not happened, as in «you'll rue the day». tree →
2. Rue is a strong-smelling herb with yellow flowers and bluish leaves, used in the past as a medicine. tree →
3. (French) «Rue» is the French word for street, as in «rue de la Paix»; to an English ear it sounds a bit like «roo» with a tight, rounded mouth, and it is not an English word for street. tree →

In the lessons

In stories, a villain may threaten, «You'll rue the day you crossed me!», meaning you will regret it. In history and Shakespeare-style literature, rue was a symbol of sorrow. In French lessons and on French street signs, «rue» means street. Phrases: «rue the day», «la rue».

Examples

• You'll rue the day you laughed at me! tree →
• He rued his decision not to bring a coat. tree →
• The team rued their missed chances. tree →
• Rue grew in the old herb garden. tree →
• The bakery is on the Rue de Rivoli in Paris. tree →
• In French, «la rue» means «the street». tree →
• ‘Alas! alas! if thy mother knew it, Sadly, sadly, would she rue it.’ tree →

Note

Verb: rued, ruing (or rueing). It is formal and old-fashioned; everyday English says «regret». Related: rueful (sorry, regretful). Homophone: «roo» (Australian slang for kangaroo).