rue

To feel sorry about something that happened and wish it had been different.

• He will rue that decision.
• She rued the day she sold her house.
• They may yet rue their missed opportunity.

How to use it: rue something (I still rue my decision to leave.); rue the day that… (She rued the day that she trusted him.)

Similar words: regret, lament

Common phrases: rue the day, rue a decision, rue something

A small plant with strong-smelling leaves and yellow flowers, once commonly used as medicine.

• Rue grows beside the wall.
• The gardener planted rue near the path.
• The herb book describes rue’s small yellow flowers.

Common phrases: common rue, rue leaves, plant rue

Sadness about something you did or something that happened.

• Her heart was full of rue.
• He spoke with bitter rue about his wasted youth.
• The poem expresses both hope and rue.

Similar words: regret, sorrow, remorse

Common phrases: full of rue, bitter rue