English · Word Candidate

rue

/ɹuː/

Proposed by a contributor, not yet supported by evidence.

Also seen as: rues · ruing · rueing · rued

Sense 1

Meaning · English

To repent of or regret (some past action or event); to wish that a past action or event had not taken place.

Verb

to rue the day

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Meaning · English

Any of various perennial shrubs of the genus Ruta, especially the herb Ruta graveolens (common rue), formerly used in medicines.

Noun

But th'aged Nourse, her calling to her bowre, / Had gathered Rew, and Savine, and the flowre / Of Camphora, and Calamint, and Dill [...].

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

What does “rue” mean?

To repent of or regret (some past action or event); to wish that a past action or event had not taken place.

Is “rue” formal or informal?

No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.