FreeVocabulary
Rueful
/ˈruː.fəl/ adjective mediumShowing regret or sorrow, often in a wry or gently self-mocking way.
He gave a rueful laugh when he realized he had locked his keys inside the car for the second time that week.
Memory Trick
Contains 'rue,' an old word for regret - a rueful expression is a face full of gentle regret.