# ruth

> English word · Noun · IPA /ɹuːθ/ · frequency rank #6,615

## Definitions
1. Sorrow for the misery of another; pity, compassion; mercy.
2. Repentance; regret; remorse.
3. Sorrow; misery; distress.
4. Something which causes regret or sorrow; a pitiful sight.

## Etymology
From Middle English reuþe, ruthe, reuthe, rewthe, reowthe, corresponding to rue + -th (abstract nominal suffix), perhaps after early Scandinavian (compare Old Norse hrygð, hryggð (“ruth, sorrow”)).

## Easily confused with
- **RT** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/rt-vs-ruth)
- **RH** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/rh-vs-ruth)
- **run** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/run-vs-ruth)
- **rat** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/rat-vs-ruth)
- **rub** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/rub-vs-ruth)
- **rug** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/rug-vs-ruth)
- **rot** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/rot-vs-ruth)
- **rum** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/rum-vs-ruth)
- **rue** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/rue-vs-ruth)
- **ret** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/ret-vs-ruth)
- **rut** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/rut-vs-ruth)
- **Rus** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/rus-vs-ruth)
- **rah** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/rah-vs-ruth)
- **Roh** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/roh-vs-ruth)
- **RTD** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/rtd-vs-ruth)
- **RTC** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/rtc-vs-ruth)
- **rit** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/rit-vs-ruth)
- **RTA** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/rta-vs-ruth)
- **Rua** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/rua-vs-ruth)
- **rate** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/rate-vs-ruth)

## Common misspellings (6)
`rruth`, `rtuh`, `ruht`, `ruthh`, `rutth`, `urth`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/ruth