rule
gb/ɹˈul/ us/ɹˈul/
A2
English
~ 2200
szabály, előírás, uralkodik, irányít, kormányoz, dönt, kimond, vonalzó
NOUN
A2
1
Usage pattern:
a rule about [something]
The school has a rule against using phones in class.
Az iskolában szabály tiltja a telefonhasználatot órán.
New safety rules were introduced after the accident.
A baleset után új biztonsági előírásokat vezettek be.
You must follow the rules if you want to play the game.
Learner examples
There is a rule about wearing shoes in the gym.
A tornateremben szabály, hogy cipőt kell viselni.
We have a new rule at home.
Otthon van egy új szabályunk.
Please follow the rules in the library.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'rule' with 'law'; laws are made by governments, while rules can be made by any group or organization.
Meaning
Official instruction or law
Collocations
follow the rules
|break a rule
|set a rule
|strict rules
Synonyms
regulation (More formal and often used for official or legal contexts.)
Antonyms
freedom (The absence of restrictions or limitations.)
Themes
law
|daily life
|education
|politics
Definition
A statement that says what you must or must not do.
An official instruction or principle that states what is allowed or required and controls how people behave.
VERB
B1
2
Usage pattern:
to rule [a place]
The king ruled the land for fifty years.
A király ötven évig uralkodott az országban.
They ruled the city until they were overthrown.
Ők irányították a várost, amíg meg nem buktatták őket.
She ruled the empire wisely and fairly.
Learner examples
The queen rules the country.
A királynő uralkodik az országban.
He ruled the small island for many years.
Sok éven át uralkodott a kis szigeten.
They rule the city together.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse this with 'control'; 'rule' implies formal authority over others, often in politics or leadership.
Meaning
Govern or control people/places
Collocations
rule a country
|rule with an iron fist
|rule over
Synonyms
govern (More formal; often used for political administration.)
Antonyms
serve (To act under someone else's authority rather than controlling them.)
Themes
politics
|history
Definition
To control a place or people as a leader.
To have official power over a country, region, or group of people.
NOUN
B2
3
szabály
A2
As a general rule, you should back up your data regularly.
Általános szabályként érdemes rendszeresen biztonsági mentést készítened az adataidról.
The rules of grammar help us write correctly.
A nyelvtan szabályai segítenek abban, hogy helyesen írjunk.
There are exceptions to every rule.
Learner examples
As a rule, I drink tea in the morning.
Reggelente általában teát iszom.
The rules of math are important.
A matematika szabályai fontosak.
There are rules for writing English sentences.
Meaning
General principle or guideline
Collocations
the rules of physics
|as a general rule
Synonyms
principle (A broader term for a basic truth or idea guiding behavior or thought.)
Antonyms
exception (Something that does not follow the usual pattern or principle.)
Themes
science
|logic
|education
Definition
A fact or idea that is usually true in most situations.
A general principle that describes how something works or usually happens.
VERB
B2
4
Usage pattern:
to rule that [clause]
The judge ruled in favor of the defendant.
A bíró az alperes javára döntött.
The court ruled that the law was unconstitutional.
A bíróság kimondta, hogy a törvény alkotmányellenes.
They ruled against the proposal after much debate.
Learner examples
The judge ruled that he was not guilty.
A bíró kimondta, hogy nem bűnös.
The court ruled against him.
A bíróság ellene döntött.
The school ruled that hats are not allowed.
Meaning
Make an official legal decision
Collocations
rule in favor of
|rule against
|rule on a case
Synonyms
decide (More general; not necessarily in a legal context.)
Antonyms
overturn (To reverse an earlier decision.)
Themes
law
Definition
To make an official decision about something important, often in court.
To officially decide something, especially in a court of law or other formal setting.
NOUN
B1
TECHNICAL
5
vonalzó
A2
He measured the paper with a steel rule.
Acélvonalzóval mérte meg a papírt.
Use a rule to draw the diagram accurately.
Használj vonalzót, hogy pontosan megrajzold az ábrát.
The carpenter kept his rule in his pocket.
Learner examples
I use a rule to draw lines.
Vonalzóval húzok vonalakat.
The rule is 30 centimeters long.
A vonalzó 30 centiméter hosszú.
She measured it with a rule.
Meaning
Straight-edged measuring tool
Collocations
wooden rule
|steel rule
Synonyms
ruler (Commonly used term for this object; 'rule' is less frequent in everyday speech.)
Themes
tools
|education
|daily_life
Definition
A flat tool with numbers used to measure length or draw straight lines.
A straight-edged tool with length markings used for measuring and drawing lines, also called a ruler.
Grammar
Dictionary form
rule
IPA
GB/ɹˈul/
US/ɹˈul/
Syllables & stress
rule (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (rule)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: rule
- Plural: rule, rules
Verb
- Base: rule
- 3rd Person Singular: rules
- Present Participle: ruling
- Past: ruled
Word family
Forms
rules
noun
ruling
verb
ruled
verb
Core family
ruler
noun A1
Related words
regulate
verb B2
regulation
noun B1
Negative and opposite forms
unruly
adjective
Advanced or less common
overrule
verb
regulatory
adjective B2
Expressions
as a rule
1/ˈæz ə ɹˈul/
fixed phrase
Generally true in most cases
Usually; in most situations.
Examples
- As a rule, we don’t eat after 9 p.m.
- As a rule, children love playing outside.
lay down the law/rules
1/lˈeɪ dˈaʊn ðə lˈɔɚˈulz/
idiom
informal
State rules firmly to others
To tell people clearly and strongly what they must do.
Examples
- The teacher laid down the rules on the first day of class.
- He laid down the law about no smoking inside.
rule out
1/ɹˈul ˈaʊt/
phrasal verb
Exclude something as an option
To decide that something is not possible or will not happen.
Examples
- The police have ruled out robbery as a motive.
- We can’t rule out the possibility of rain.
rule the roost
1/ɹˈul ðə ɹˈust/
idiom
informal
Be in charge of everything
To be the person who makes all the decisions in a group or place.
Examples
- She really rules the roost at home.
- In this office, it's clear who rules the roost.
rule of thumb
1/ɹˈul əv θˈʌm/
idiom
general practical guideline
A simple general rule that people use in normal life, not a strict or exact rule.
Examples
- As a rule of thumb, you should save at least ten percent of your income.
- A good rule of thumb is to add one extra minute of cooking time for every hundred watts less power.
rule of thumb
2/ɹˈul əv θˈʌm/
idiom
Practical general guideline
A simple way to judge or decide something based on experience, not exact facts.
Examples
- As a rule of thumb, add two minutes for each extra kilometer.
- A good rule of thumb is to save 10% of your income.