ruler
/ˈɹuːlə/noun, verb
ruler is spelled R-U-L-E-R: 5 letters and 2 syllables. It appears 6.9 times per million words in written English, the 9,045th most frequent word form (wordfreq, 2021 data). As a noun, ruler means “A (usually rigid), flat, rectangular measuring or drawing device with graduations in units of measurement; a straightedge with markings” (English Wiktionary, September 2026). The plural of ruler is rulers.
How many letters and syllables are in ruler?
| Letters | 5: R-U-L-E-R |
|---|---|
| Syllables | 2 (from its American pronunciation) |
| In writing | 6.9 times per million words; the 9,045th most frequent word form |
| Wrong spellings searched | none measured in search |
| Rhymes with |
Sources: letters and syllables from the English Wiktionary's hyphenation or pronunciation and the CMU Pronouncing Dictionary; written frequency: wordfreq 3.1 (a 2021 snapshot of Wikipedia, subtitles, news, books, web text and social media); rhymes and same-letter words are computed by PlainSpell from its own word list.
How common is ruler?
Ruler appears 6.9 times per million words in written English, the 9,045th most frequent word form in the list.
Source: written frequency: wordfreq 3.1 (a 2021 snapshot of Wikipedia, subtitles, news, books, web text and social media).
How do you pronounce ruler?
- UK /ˈɹuːlə/
- /ˈɹuː.lə/
- [ɹʉwlə]
Ruler has 2 syllables (counted from its American pronunciation in the CMU Pronouncing Dictionary).
Source: English Wiktionary, dump of September 2, 2026 (CC BY-SA 4.0), through kaikki.org (Wiktextract). Recordings: En-uk-ruler-device.ogg, En-uk-ruler-person.ogg, En-us-ruler.ogg, Wikimedia Commons (author and licence on each file's page).
What rhymes with ruler?
One word on PlainSpell end in the same sounds as ruler from its last stressed vowel (/ulə/, British pronunciation):
Computed by PlainSpell from the pronunciations in the English Wiktionary (dump of September 2, 2026): a rhyme shares every sound from the last stressed vowel to the end; ordered by written frequency (wordfreq 3.1).
Forms of ruler
- rulers plural, present, singular, he/she/it
- rulering participle, present
- rulered participle, past
Source: English Wiktionary, dump of September 2, 2026 (CC BY-SA 4.0), through kaikki.org (Wiktextract).
What does ruler mean?
The meanings the English Wiktionary records, quoted as written there (source below).
noun
- 1
A (usually rigid), flat, rectangular measuring or drawing device with graduations in units of measurement; a straightedge with markings.
- 2
A person who rules or governs; someone or something that exercises dominion or controlling power over others.
verb
- 1
To beat with a ruler (as a traditional school punishment).
Source: English Wiktionary, dump of September 2, 2026 (CC BY-SA 4.0), through kaikki.org (Wiktextract).
Ruler in Spanish, French, German and Portuguese
| Language | Words |
|---|---|
| French | règle, latte , dirigeant, chef |
| German | Lineal , Herrscher , Herrscherin |
| Portuguese | régua , governante |
| Spanish | regla , gobernante |
Source: English Wiktionary, dump of September 2, 2026 (CC BY-SA 4.0), through kaikki.org (Wiktextract). Translations are Wiktionary's, by sense; a linked word has its own PlainSpell page.
Where does ruler come from?
From Middle English reuler; equivalent to rule + -er.
Source: English Wiktionary, dump of September 2, 2026 (CC BY-SA 4.0), through kaikki.org (Wiktextract).