Guest

rules JUST WRITTEN FOR YOU

/ˈɹuːlz/ · ru·les
noun
  1. A regulation, law, guideline. All participants must adhere to the rules.
  2. A ruler; device for measuring, a straightedge, a measure. She used a ruler to measure the length of the room.
  3. A straight line (continuous mark, as made by a pen or the like), especially one lying across a paper as a guide for writing. The student drew a line across the paper to create a rule for her drawing.
verb
  1. To regulate, be in charge of, make decisions for, reign over. The government rules the country with an iron fist.
  2. To excel. This game rules!
  3. To mark (paper or the like) with rules (lines). She ruled the paper with a straightedge to create a grid.
  4. To revel. The party rules all night long.
Did you know? The phrase 'the rules are meant to be broken' originated from a 1959 song by Tommy Edwards, which became a hit and popularized the idea that rules are meant to be disobeyed.
Written by Lexi Wordsworth, Dictionary Editor 0 lookups Added Jul 23, 2026