Did you know?
If you remember your high school French, or if you've ever strolled down the Rue de Rivoli in Paris, you may have the notion that the English word rue is somehow connected to the French word for "street." In actuality, the French and English words are not related at all. Indeed, the English rue traveled its own road: it comes originally from the Old English word hrēow, meaning "sorrow." Used as both a noun meaning "sorrow, regret," and, more frequently, a verb meaning "to feel sorrow or regret for something," rue is very old, dating to before the 12th century. As for the rue that refers to an aromatic culinary and medicinal herb, that word has another history altogether, coming ultimately from the Greek word rhytē.
Examples of rue in a Sentence
Lily Templeton, Footwear News, 14 Oct. 2025
The Indianapolis Colts, another unbeaten team heading into Week 4, were left to rue Adonai Mitchell’s costly error in their 27-20 loss to the Rams at SoFi Stadium.
—George Ramsay, CNN Money, 29 Sep. 2025
Elizabeth D. Samet, Foreign Affairs, 29 Oct. 2025
Having designed for Lucien Lelong through most of World War II, Balmain set up his own couture house at 44 rue François 1er just after occupying German soldiers vacated the building.
—Joelle Diderich, Footwear News, 19 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rue
Cite this Entry
“Rue.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rue. Accessed 6 Nov. 2025.
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rue
2 of 2 nounMedical Definition
rue
noun
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