What's the difference between
and
Enter two words to compare and contrast their definitions, origins, and synonyms to better understand how those words are related.

Sorrow vs Rueful - What's the difference?

sorrow | rueful |

As a noun sorrow

is (uncountable) unhappiness, woe.

As a verb sorrow

is to feel or express grief.

As an adjective rueful is

causing, feeling, or expressing regret or sorrow.

sorrow

English

Noun

  • (uncountable) unhappiness, woe
  • * Rambler
  • The safe and general antidote against sorrow is employment.
  • (countable) (usually in plural) An instance or cause of unhappiness.
  • Parting is such sweet sorrow .

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • To feel or express grief.
  • * 1749 , Henry Fielding, Tom Jones , Folio Society 1973, p. 424:
  • Sorrow not, sir,’ says he, ‘like those without hope.’
  • To feel grief over; to mourn, regret.
  • *, II.12:
  • It is impossible to make a man naturally blind, to conceive that he seeth not; impossible to make him desire to see, and sorrow his defect.

    References

    * *

    rueful

    English

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • Causing, feeling, or expressing regret or sorrow.
  • Inspiring pity or compassion.
  • Derived terms

    * rue-bargain * ruefully * ruefulness