ruler

/ˈɹuːlə(ɹ)/

//ˈɹuːlə(ɹ)// noun

By · According to Wiktionary data (CC BY-SA) ·

"ruler" is a 5-letter English headword indexed on PlainSpell.

The verdict

“ruler” has 7 generated spelling variants in the English index at frequency #9,091. The variants make it a useful spelling check.

#9,091
frequency rank, English
3,094
“R” headwords
7
tracked misspellings
20
confusable pairs

According to Wiktionary data (CC BY-SA, analyzed September 3, 2026) - A (usually rigid), flat, rectangular measuring or drawing device with graduations in units of measurement; a straightedge with markings.

Corpus desk

Index EN-ruler · ruler · English

ruler · rank #9,091 · 7 variants · 20 confusables

  • FREQ-COMMON #9,091
  • LEN-MID 5 letters
  • VOW-2 2 vowels
  • CONFUS-HIGH 20 pairs
  • VAR-MID 7 variants
  • BOOK-MID 3,094
  • PHOTO-FINISH rifles

Nearest frequency peer: rifles (-2 rank slots)

Read with this headword: Spelling guide for this pattern

Desk codes from Wiktionary headword shape, FrequencyWords rank tier, confusable-pair count, generated misspelling depth, letter-cohort book size, and photo-finish peer. Not a difficulty grade.

Rank peers near misspelling magnet “ruler”

Same rarity band: useful when a typo lands on a peer headword

corpus weight

What this shows “ruler” sits among these FrequencyWords peers; misspelling depth is tracked separately in the edit-distance chart.

Source FrequencyWords open word-frequency list As of September 3, 2026

Visual similarity to commonly confused words

How many letter changes separate each confused pair (Levenshtein distance, normalized).

ruler vs ruse
60% similar
ruler vs rune
60% similar
ruler vs rules
80% similar

Source: PlainSpell confusable corpus (Wiktionary, CC BY-SA).

Key facts for ruler
PropertyValue
Headwordruler
LanguageEnglish
Part of speechNoun
IPA/ˈɹuːlə(ɹ)/
Letters5
Frequency rank#9,091
Misspellings tracked7
Confusable pairs20
SourceWiktionary (kaikki.org)

Frequency seat of misspelling magnet “ruler”

This scale runs from the tiny cluster of words that carry ordinary speech (left) to the long tail of words almost nobody reaches for (right).rulerlands here:

#1#100#1K#10K#100K
← used constantlyrarely used →

Ticks step logarithmically, so each one marks a roughly tenfold drop in how often the word turns up. Same rarity band neighbours include “rifles” (#9,089), “repeating” (#9,088), “sellers” (#9,094). Among 3,094 “R” headwords, “ruler” is #9,091. Source: FrequencyWords open word-frequency list.

A misspelling magnet

The generator records 7 spelling variants around ruler (IPA /ˈɹuːlə(ɹ)/), anoun. Corpus frequency is #9,091 among 3,094 “R” headwords. Wiktionary lists 2 senses, so context still picks the gloss.

Our generated misspelling index lists 7 likely wrong-spelling variants for ruler, with forms such as "rluer", "rruler", and "ruelr". Each variant is a distinct typo pattern an edit-distance generator flags, typically a doubled-consonant error, a silent-letter drop, or a vowel substitution. It also participates in 20 confusable-pair relationships, "ruse", "rune", "rules", and more, where similar look or sound leads writers to substitute one word for another in context.

Etymologically, the entry records: From Middle English reuler; equivalent to rule + -er. The correct English form is ruler, spelled R-U-L-E-R.

Definition

  1. 1
    A (usually rigid), flat, rectangular measuring or drawing device with graduations in units of measurement; a straightedge with markings.
  2. 2
    A person who rules or governs; someone or something that exercises dominion or controlling power over others.

Recorded use

Wiktionary examples

These source excerpts show how ruler appears in context. They illustrate usage; the definition above remains the entry’s reference meaning.

  1. The carcharhinids are unquestionably the rulers of the seas, because of their abundance, their strength and speed, and their unchallenged position as the number one predators in the marine ecosystem.
  2. LIKE THE MANDARINS of old, the rulers of China live behind high walls. When they emerge, which they rarely do, they travel in cars with rear windows curtained like sedan chairs. They live in the Chung Nan Hai, a walled park adjacent to the Forbidden City from where ancient dynasties ruled the Celestial Empire.

Etymology

From Middle English reuler; equivalent to rule + -er.

Synonyms

ruleoverlingprovostruler

This word in other languages

regla(Español)règle(Français)Lineal(Deutsch)régua(Português)

Common misspellings

Also misspelled as:

  • rluer
  • rruler
  • ruelr
  • rulerr
  • ruller
  • rulre
  • urler

Misspelling Pattern Breakdown

How far each generated variant is from the correct spelling of ruler - counted as single-character edits (an insertion, a deletion, or a substituted letter). The larger the bar, the easier the typo is to spot; one-edit slips are the ones that sneak past readers.

rluer2rruler1ruelr2rulerr1ruller1rulre2urler2
Edit distance from "ruler"

Definitions, pronunciation, and etymology for this entry are drawn from Wiktionary via the kaikki.org structured extract (CC BY-SA); frequency ordering uses the FrequencyWords open word-frequency list (2018 English corpus, MIT). See the methodology for how each field is sourced and updated.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you spell "ruler"?
"ruler" is spelled R-U-L-E-R. The IPA pronunciation is /ˈɹuːlə(ɹ)/.
What does "ruler" mean?
As a noun, "ruler" means: A (usually rigid), flat, rectangular measuring or drawing device with graduations in units of measurement; a straightedge with markings.
What words are commonly confused with "ruler"?
"ruler" is commonly confused with "ruse", "rune", "rules". These words look or sound similar but have different meanings. PlainSpell provides detailed comparisons for each pair.
How do you pronounce "ruler"?
The IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet) transcription for "ruler" is /ˈɹuːlə(ɹ)/. Click the speaker icon on the pronunciation badge above to hear it spoken aloud where audio is available.
What is the origin of the word "ruler"?
From Middle English reuler; equivalent to rule + -er. See the full etymology section above for more details.
Is PlainSpell free to use?
Yes, PlainSpell is a completely free word reference. You can look up definitions, pronunciations, confusable pairs, homophones, and spelling corrections across 5 languages without any sign-up or subscription.

Similar English words by spelling shape

Same letter count and similar misspelling depth for "ruler", not the corpus desk frequency band.

Same letter count

Frequency-ranked English headwords with 5 letters (nearest by frequency rank).

rains#9,085poets#9,081sperm#9,102spill#9,103

Similar misspelling depth

Headwords with a similar count of attested misspellings (7 here; floor ≥5).

pains7 variantsmarina7 variantsAhmed7 variantsFelix7 variants

Source: Wiktionary (via kaikki.org) Structured Wiktionary extract

Source: FrequencyWords open word-frequency list