rule
/ruːl/ IELTSAcademic
noun
A rule is an official instruction that tells people what they must or must not do. It can also mean a usual pattern or principle in a game, school, or society.
- The school has a strict rule about phones.
- This rule applies to all visitors.
- We follow one simple rule: be on time.
verb
To rule means to control a country, area, or group of people. It can also mean to decide what happens in a situation or game.
- The king ruled for twenty years.
- The committee ruled in her favour.
- One late answer can rule you out.
Adinary Nuance
Rule is broader than law, which usually means an official legal rule from the government. It is also more specific than custom, which is a usual way of behaving but not always written down. In everyday English, rule often sounds practical and direct, especially in school, games, and work.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- quy tắc
- Spanish
- regla
- Chinese
- 规则
- Japanese
- 規則
- Korean
- 규칙
Etymology
Rule comes from Old French reule, from Latin regula meaning 'straight stick' or 'measuring line'. The idea of a clear standard became the modern meaning.
Common phrases
house ruleschool rulebreak the rulesrule of thumb
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- What is the difference between rule and law?
- A law is a rule made by a government. A rule can be smaller and apply to a school, game, or workplace.
- Can rule be used in formal writing?
- Yes. It is common in formal and everyday writing, especially for laws, policies, and instructions.
- Is rule countable or uncountable?
- Usually countable: one rule, many rules. In some fixed phrases, it can sound general, like 'follow the rules'.
- What does rule mean in grammar?
- In grammar, a rule is a pattern you should follow when speaking or writing correctly.