Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

rueful smile

noun

/ˈruːfəl smaɪl/

Definition

A smile that expresses sorrow or regret, often tinged with a sense of irony or sadness.

Examples

She gave a rueful smile when she realized she had forgotten his birthday.
After telling the embarrassing story, he looked around with a rueful smile, acknowledging his blunder.
His rueful smile revealed how he felt about the missed opportunity.

Meaning

A rueful smile typically conveys emotions of remorse or wistfulness, reflecting a recognition of one’s mistakes or the bittersweet nature of a situation.