Rule vs. Ruler: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 25, 2023
Rule refers to a prescribed guide for conduct or action; ruler denotes a person or instrument for measuring or someone who commands.
Key Differences
The term "rule" often denotes a guideline or a standard that is followed, while "ruler" typically refers to a person who governs or a measuring device. In their essence, a rule is an abstract concept used to maintain order, and a ruler is either a concrete tool used in geometry or an individual in a position of power.
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Nov 08, 2023
Rules are principles established to dictate behavior or processes, often implemented to ensure fairness or efficiency. On the other hand, rulers are individuals who have the authority to create, enforce, or abolish rules. The purpose of a rule is to provide a predictable structure within which people operate, whereas a ruler is someone who oversees the adherence to these rules.
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Nov 08, 2023
A rule can be found in various contexts such as games, social systems, or computer programming, outlining what can or cannot be done. A ruler, in contrast, could be a monarch, an elected official, or even a classroom tool made of wood, metal, or plastic, designed to measure lengths or draw straight lines.
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Nov 08, 2023
In linguistics, a rule might refer to a grammatical structure that guides sentence construction, while no direct application of the term "ruler" is found in grammar or language rules. Instead, a ruler, when referring to a person, might be responsible for instituting language policies or standards within a community or country.
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Nov 08, 2023
While a rule can be a legally binding regulation or simply a guideline for courteous behavior, a ruler often signifies the authority behind the enforcement of rules. The relationship between the two is symbiotic: without rules, a ruler would lack the framework within which to govern, and without a ruler, rules might lack the necessary enforcement mechanism.
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Nov 08, 2023
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Comparison Chart
Definition
A standard or principle for regulating conduct.
A person who governs or a measuring device.
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Function
Prescribes behavior or procedures.
Enforces or creates rules; measures length.
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Contextual Use
Guidelines in various systems (e.g., laws, games).
Leadership positions or drawing/measuring tool.
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Nov 08, 2023
Linguistic Role
Structural component in grammar.
No direct linguistic role; person may affect language policy.
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Nov 08, 2023
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Rule and Ruler Definitions
Rule
A standard method or procedure.
The rule in math is to perform multiplication before addition.
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Ruler
A person exercising government or dominion.
Queen Elizabeth II was the ruler of the United Kingdom.
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Rule
A control or dominion.
The company had a rule over the market for years.
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Ruler
A sovereign, such as a king or emperor.
The ancient Romans had a ruler who was seen as almost divine.
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Rule
A usual or customary pattern.
As a rule, we don't accept late assignments.
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Ruler
A person who sets standards or makes decisions.
The manager acted as the ruler in all scheduling matters.
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Ruler
A gauge or device for measuring objects or distances.
The carpenter used a ruler to measure the board before cutting.
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Nov 08, 2023
Ruler
An instrument for measuring and drawing straight lines.
She drew a straight edge using a 12-inch ruler.
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Nov 08, 2023
Rule
An authoritative, prescribed direction for conduct, especially one of the regulations governing procedure in a legislative body or a regulation observed by the players in a game, sport, or contest.
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Oct 19, 2023
Rule
The body of regulations prescribed by the founder of a religious order for governing the conduct of its members.
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Oct 19, 2023
Ruler
A straightedged strip, as of wood or metal, for drawing straight lines and measuring lengths. Also called rule.
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Oct 19, 2023
Rule
A usual, customary, or generalized course of action or behavior
"The rule of life in the defense bar ordinarily is to go along and get along" (Scott Turow).
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Oct 19, 2023
Ruler
A (usually rigid), flat, rectangular measuring or drawing device with graduations in units of measurement; a straightedge with markings.
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Oct 19, 2023
Rule
A generalized statement that describes what is true in most or all cases
In this office, hard work is the rule, not the exception.
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Oct 19, 2023
Ruler
A person who rules or governs; someone or something that exercises dominion or controlling power over others.
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Oct 19, 2023
Rule
(Mathematics) A standard method or procedure for solving a class of problems.
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Oct 19, 2023
Ruler
(transitive) To beat with a ruler (as a traditional school punishment).
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Oct 19, 2023
Rule
A court decision serving as a precedent for subsequent cases
The Miranda rule.
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Oct 19, 2023
Ruler
One who rules; one who exercises sway or authority; a governor.
And he made him ruler over all the land.
A prince and ruler of the land.
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Oct 19, 2023
Ruler
Measuring stick consisting of a strip of wood or metal or plastic with a straight edge that is used for drawing straight lines and measuring lengths
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Oct 19, 2023
Rule
A statute or regulation governing the court process
Rule of procedure.
Rule of evidence.
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Oct 19, 2023
Rule
(Printing) A thin metal strip of various widths and designs, used to print borders or lines, as between columns.
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Oct 19, 2023
Rule
To exercise control, dominion, or direction over; govern
Rule a kingdom.
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Rule
To have a powerful influence over; dominate
"Many found the lanky westerner naive, and supposed that he would be ruled by one of his more commanding cabinet officers" (William Marvel).
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Oct 19, 2023
Rule
To be a preeminent or dominant factor in
"It was a place where ... middle-class life was ruled by a hankering for all things foreign" (Amitav Ghosh).
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Oct 19, 2023
Rule
To decide or declare authoritatively or judicially; decree
The judges ruled that the answer was acceptable. The police ruled the death a homicide. The law was ruled unconstitutional.
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Oct 19, 2023
Rule
A regulation, law, guideline.
All participants must adhere to the rules.
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Oct 19, 2023
Rule
The act of ruling; administration of law; government; empire; authority; control.
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Oct 19, 2023
Rule
A normal condition or state of affairs.
My rule is to rise at six o'clock.
As a rule, our senior editors are serious-minded.
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Oct 19, 2023
Rule
(legal) An order regulating the practice of the courts, or an order made between parties to an action or a suit.
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Oct 19, 2023
Rule
(math) A determinate method prescribed for performing any operation and producing a certain result.
A rule for extracting the cube root
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Oct 19, 2023
Rule
A straight line continuous mark, as made by a pen or the like, especially one lying across a paper as a guide for writing.
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Oct 19, 2023
Rule
A thin plate of brass or other metal, of the same height as the type, and used for printing lines, as between columns on the same page, or in tabular work.
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Oct 19, 2023
Rule
(transitive) To establish or settle by, or as by, a rule; to fix by universal or general consent, or by common practice.
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Oct 19, 2023
Rule
That which is prescribed or laid down as a guide for conduct or action; a governing direction for a specific purpose; an authoritative enactment; a regulation; a prescription; a precept; as, the rules of various societies; the rules governing a school; a rule of etiquette or propriety; the rules of cricket.
We profess to have embraced a religion which contains the most exact rules for the government of our lives.
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Oct 19, 2023
Rule
Uniform or established course of things.
'T is against the rule of nature.
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Oct 19, 2023
Rule
Systematic method or practice; as, my ule is to rise at six o'clock.
This uncivil rule; she shall know of it.
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Oct 19, 2023
Rule
The act of ruling; administration of law; government; empire; authority; control.
Obey them that have the rule over you.
His stern rule the groaning land obeyed.
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Oct 19, 2023
Rule
An order regulating the practice of the courts, or an order made between parties to an action or a suit.
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Oct 19, 2023
Rule
A determinate method prescribed for performing any operation and producing a certain result; as, a rule for extracting the cube root.
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Oct 19, 2023
Rule
A general principle concerning the formation or use of words, or a concise statement thereof; thus, it is a rule in England, that s or es , added to a noun in the singular number, forms the plural of that noun; but "man" forms its plural "men", and is an exception to the rule.
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Oct 19, 2023
Rule
A straight strip of wood, metal, or the like, which serves as a guide in drawing a straight line; a ruler.
A judicious artist will use his eye, but he will trust only to his rule.
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Oct 19, 2023
Rule
A thin plate of metal (usually brass) of the same height as the type, and used for printing lines, as between columns on the same page, or in tabular work.
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Oct 19, 2023
Rule
To control the will and actions of; to exercise authority or dominion over; to govern; to manage.
A bishop then must be blameless; . . . one that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection.
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Oct 19, 2023
Rule
To control or direct by influence, counsel, or persuasion; to guide; - used chiefly in the passive.
I think she will be ruledIn all respects by me.
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Oct 19, 2023
Rule
To establish or settle by, or as by, a rule; to fix by universal or general consent, or by common practice.
That's are ruled case with the schoolmen.
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Oct 19, 2023
Rule
To require or command by rule; to give as a direction or order of court.
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Oct 19, 2023
Rule
To mark with lines made with a pen, pencil, etc., guided by a rule or ruler; to print or mark with lines by means of a rule or other contrivance effecting a similar result; as, to rule a sheet of paper of a blank book.
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Oct 19, 2023
Rule
To have power or command; to exercise supreme authority; - often followed by over.
By me princes rule, and nobles.
We subdue and rule over all other creatures.
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Oct 19, 2023
Rule
To lay down and settle a rule or order of court; to decide an incidental point; to enter a rule.
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Oct 19, 2023
Rule
To keep within a (certain) range for a time; to be in general, or as a rule; as, prices ruled lower yesterday than the day before.
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Oct 19, 2023
Rule
A principle or condition that customarily governs behavior;
It was his rule to take a walk before breakfast
Short haircuts were the regulation
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Oct 19, 2023
Rule
Something regarded as a normative example;
The convention of not naming the main character
Violence is the rule not the exception
His formula for impressing visitors
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Oct 19, 2023
Rule
(linguistics) a rule describing (or prescribing) a linguistic practice
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Oct 19, 2023
Rule
A basic generalization that is accepted as true and that can be used as a basis for reasoning or conduct;
Their principles of composition characterized all their works
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Rule
A rule or law concerning a natural phenomenon or the function of a complex system;
The principle of the conservation of mass
The principle of jet propulsion
The right-hand rule for inductive fields
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Rule
The duration of a monarch's or government's power;
During the rule of Elizabeth
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Rule
Dominance or power through legal authority;
France held undisputed dominion over vast areas of Africa
The rule of Caesar
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Oct 19, 2023
Rule
Directions that define the way a game or sport is to be conducted;
He knew the rules of chess
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Oct 19, 2023
Rule
Any one of a systematic body of regulations defining the way of life of members of a religious order;
The rule of St. Dominic
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Oct 19, 2023
Rule
(mathematics) a standard procedure for solving a class of mathematical problems;
He determined the upper bound with Descartes' rule of signs
He gave us a general formula for attacking polynomials
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Oct 19, 2023
Rule
Measuring stick consisting of a strip of wood or metal or plastic with a straight edge that is used for drawing straight lines and measuring lengths
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Oct 19, 2023
Rule
Exercise authority over; as of nations;
Who is governing the country now?
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Oct 19, 2023
Rule
Decide with authority;
The King decreed that all first-born males should be killed
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Oct 19, 2023
Rule
Be larger in number, quantity, power, status or importance;
Money reigns supreme here
Hispanics predominate in this neighborhood
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Oct 19, 2023
Rule
A regulation or directive.
The first rule of the club is confidentiality.
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Nov 08, 2023
Rule
A straight strip or cylinder of plastic, wood, metal, or other rigid material, typically marked at regular intervals and used to draw straight lines or measure distances.
He used a rule to underline the title in his notebook.
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Nov 08, 2023
Repeatedly Asked Queries
Are "rules" always written down?
Rules can be written or unwritten, like social norms.
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Nov 08, 2023
What does "rule" mean in a legal context?
In a legal context, "rule" refers to a regulation or law.
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Nov 08, 2023
Are all "rulers" authoritative figures?
As authoritative figures, yes, but as objects, they are tools.
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Nov 08, 2023
What is a "rule of thumb"?
It's a general principle derived from practice or experience, not theory.
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Nov 08, 2023
What does "golden rule" signify?
It signifies a fundamental principle of treating others as one wishes to be treated.
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Nov 08, 2023
Is a "ruler" used in mathematics?
Yes, it's a tool used for measuring and drawing straight lines.
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Nov 08, 2023
Do "rulers" have absolute power?
Not necessarily; it depends on the governmental or organizational structure.
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Nov 08, 2023
Can "ruler" refer to a democratic leader?
Yes, "ruler" can refer to any head of state, including democratic leaders.
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Nov 08, 2023
Does "ruler" only apply to monarchical systems?
No, "ruler" applies to leaders in various types of governance.
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Nov 08, 2023
Are "rulers" always human?
In the context of leadership, yes; otherwise, a ruler can be an inanimate object.
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Nov 08, 2023
Can a "rule" be broken?
Yes, rules can be broken, but there may be consequences.
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Nov 08, 2023
What is the "rule of law"?
It's the principle that all people and institutions are subject to and accountable to law.
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Nov 08, 2023
Is there a rule for every situation?
Not for every situation; some circumstances require judgment beyond established rules.
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Nov 08, 2023
Can "ruler" also mean a standard unit of measure?
Indirectly, as it refers to the measuring device, not the unit itself.
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Nov 08, 2023
What is an example of a "rule" in sports?
In soccer, a player is offside if positioned nearer to the opponent's goal than the ball.
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Nov 08, 2023
Can "rules" change over time?
Yes, rules can evolve with societal changes or new leadership.
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Nov 08, 2023
Do all cultures have the same "ruler"?
No, different cultures have different systems and thus different rulers.
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Nov 08, 2023
How are "rules" enforced?
Rules are enforced by authorities or societal consensus.
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Nov 08, 2023
Can "ruler" be a synonym for "leader"?
Yes, "ruler" can be synonymous with "leader."
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Nov 08, 2023
What is a "ruler" made of?
Rulers can be made of plastic, wood, metal, or other materials.
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Nov 08, 2023
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About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
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