Ruler vs. Rule — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on October 31, 2023
A ruler is an individual or device that governs or measures, while a rule is an established guideline or principle dictating conduct or procedure.
Difference Between Ruler and Rule
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
A ruler is an individual who commands or governs a country, region, or group, wielding power and authority over others. A rule, by contrast, is an established guideline or principle that governs conduct within a particular activity or sphere. Both "ruler" and "rule" carry the essence of control and direction, yet they operate on different scales and contexts.
The term "ruler" often denotes a monarch, president, or other sovereign authority, while a "rule" refers to the specific directive itself, which can range from societal laws to personal principles. While rulers may establish rules, it is the rules themselves that outline the dos and don’ts within a system. Both concepts are central to the structure and order of societies, organizations, and individual behaviors.
Rules are abstract, normative concepts that can be written or unwritten, like the rules of a game or moral rules, and a ruler is a concrete entity, usually a person, that can enforce or set these standards. The presence of a ruler often implies a hierarchical system, whereas rules can exist in any context where guidelines are beneficial or necessary.
In history, rulers have been responsible for creating and enforcing rules that reflect their will and vision for the collective they oversee. Conversely, rules can remain long after a ruler has left power, continuing to influence actions and decisions as part of a legacy or established system. Both ruler and rule have the capacity to shape cultures and behaviors across time.
Lastly, the word "ruler" can also denote a tool used for measuring length, a physical representation of the standardization that rules aim to achieve in a more figurative sense. Rules can be measured by their effectiveness or fairness, but unlike a ruler, they cannot be quantified by physical units. Both, however, can be benchmarks: one for physical dimensions, the other for conduct.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
A person or tool with authority or for measurement.
A prescribed guideline for behavior or procedure.
Function
Governs or measures.
Directs or controls behavior.
Nature
Can be a person or object.
Is an abstract concept.
Creation
Is elected, inherits power, or crafted.
Is established or decreed.
Duration
Has a term of office or physical lifespan.
Can be permanent or subject to change.
Compare with Definitions
Ruler
Monarch
Queen Elizabeth II was a ruler for over 70 years.
Rule
The duration of such power.
Ruler
Standard Setter
As a ruler of fashion, her choices set trends.
Rule
To exercise control, dominion, or direction over; govern
Rule a kingdom.
Ruler
Governing Figure
The ruler decreed that taxes would be lowered.
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).
Ruler
Measuring Device
I used a ruler to draw a straight line.
Rule
Control Mechanism
The rule of the timer regulates the game.
Ruler
A ruler, sometimes called a rule or line gauge, is a device used in geometry and technical drawing, as well as the engineering and construction industries, to measure distances or draw straight lines.
Rule
Principle
His rule is to never go to bed angry.
Ruler
One, such as a monarch or dictator, that rules or governs.
Rule
Governing power or its possession or use; authority.
Ruler
Decision Maker
The ruler resolved the dispute with wisdom.
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.
Ruler
A straightedged strip, as of wood or metal, for drawing straight lines and measuring lengths. Also called rule.
Rule
The body of regulations prescribed by the founder of a religious order for governing the conduct of its members.
Ruler
A (usually rigid), flat, rectangular measuring or drawing device with graduations in units of measurement; a straightedge with markings.
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).
Ruler
A person who rules or governs; someone or something that exercises dominion or controlling power over others.
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.
Ruler
(transitive) To beat with a ruler (as a traditional school punishment).
Rule
(Mathematics) A standard method or procedure for solving a class of problems.
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.
Rule
A court decision serving as a precedent for subsequent cases
The Miranda rule.
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
Rule
A legal doctrine or principle.
Ruler
A person who rules or commands;
Swayer of the universe
Rule
A court order.
Rule
A minor regulation or law.
Rule
A statute or regulation governing the court process
Rule of procedure.
Rule of evidence.
Rule
See ruler.
Rule
(Printing) A thin metal strip of various widths and designs, used to print borders or lines, as between columns.
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).
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.
Rule
To mark with straight parallel lines.
Rule
To mark (a straight line), as with a ruler.
Rule
To be in total control or command; exercise supreme authority.
Rule
To formulate and issue a decree or decision.
Rule
To prevail at a particular level or rate
Prices ruled low.
Rule
(Slang) To be excellent or superior
That new video game rules!.
Rule
A regulation, law, guideline.
All participants must adhere to the rules.
Rule
A regulating principle.
Rule
The act of ruling; administration of law; government; empire; authority; control.
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.
Rule
(obsolete) Conduct; behaviour.
Rule
(legal) An order regulating the practice of the courts, or an order made between parties to an action or a suit.
Rule
(math) A determinate method prescribed for performing any operation and producing a certain result.
A rule for extracting the cube root
Rule
A ruler; device for measuring, a straightedge, a measure.
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.
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.
Rule
(obsolete) Revelry.
Rule
To regulate, be in charge of, make decisions for, reign over.
Rule
To excel.
This game rules!
Rule
(intransitive) To decide judicially.
Rule
(transitive) To establish or settle by, or as by, a rule; to fix by universal or general consent, or by common practice.
Rule
(transitive) To mark (paper or the like) with rules lines.
Rule
To revel.
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.
Rule
Uniform or established course of things.
'T is against the rule of nature.
Rule
Systematic method or practice; as, my ule is to rise at six o'clock.
This uncivil rule; she shall know of it.
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.
Rule
An order regulating the practice of the courts, or an order made between parties to an action or a suit.
Rule
A determinate method prescribed for performing any operation and producing a certain result; as, a rule for extracting the cube root.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Rule
To require or command by rule; to give as a direction or order of court.
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.
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.
Rule
To lay down and settle a rule or order of court; to decide an incidental point; to enter a rule.
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.
Rule
A principle or condition that customarily governs behavior;
It was his rule to take a walk before breakfast
Short haircuts were the regulation
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
Rule
Prescribed guide for conduct or action
Rule
(linguistics) a rule describing (or prescribing) a linguistic practice
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
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
Rule
The duration of a monarch's or government's power;
During the rule of Elizabeth
Rule
Dominance or power through legal authority;
France held undisputed dominion over vast areas of Africa
The rule of Caesar
Rule
Directions that define the way a game or sport is to be conducted;
He knew the rules of chess
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
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
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
Rule
Exercise authority over; as of nations;
Who is governing the country now?
Rule
Decide with authority;
The King decreed that all first-born males should be killed
Rule
Be larger in number, quantity, power, status or importance;
Money reigns supreme here
Hispanics predominate in this neighborhood
Rule
Decide on and make a declaration about;
Find someone guilty
Rule
Have an affinity with; of signs of the zodiac
Rule
Mark or draw with a ruler;
Rule the margins
Rule
Keep in check;
Rule one's temper
Rule
Guideline
The first rule of the club is confidentiality.
Rule
Law
The new traffic rule reduced accidents.
Rule
Standard
In chess, the rule is that pawns move forward.
Common Curiosities
Are rulers always authoritarian?
No, rulers can govern with various levels of authority.
Can anyone be a ruler?
In certain contexts, yes, but typically it requires specific criteria or succession.
What is a rule?
A rule is a prescribed guide for conduct or action.
Is a ruler always a person?
No, it can also refer to a measuring device.
Can a rule be unwritten?
Yes, such as social or traditional norms.
Who makes rules?
Rules can be made by authorities, groups, or individuals.
Do rules apply to everyone?
Ideally, but application can vary based on context and power dynamics.
What is a ruler?
A ruler is a person who governs or a tool used for measuring.
Can a ruler be democratic?
Yes, a ruler can be democratically elected.
Are rules the same as laws?
Not always; laws are formal rules enacted by legislative bodies.
Can rules change?
Yes, rules can be modified or abolished over time.
Can a rule be a principle?
Yes, principles are often regarded as rules for behavior or belief.
Do all societies have rulers?
Most have some form of leadership, but the form and title vary.
Are rulers above the rules?
In principle, no, but in practice, this can vary depending on the system of governance.
Is breaking a rule always punishable?
Consequences depend on the rule and the context in which it is broken.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
