Rules

Rules are statements that say what a person is and isn’t allowed to do. As a verb, rules means to control something or is used in slang to mean something is great. When capitalized, Rules has two specific senses as a noun.

Many things have rules, such as board games or a school. Similar to laws, there is often a penalty or punishment for not following the rules (“breaking the rules”). Things that have formal rules, such as sports, usually have their rules written down or recorded so they can be checked if needed.

• Real-life examples: According to the rules of soccer, only the goalie is allowed to touch the ball with their hands. It is against the rules of chess to move a pawn backwards. It is the job of referees and umpires to enforce the rules of games.
• Used in a sentence: My math teacher is very strict and has a lot of rules.

Many things have “unwritten rules,” which are unofficial standards that people are expected to follow. If they don’t, they may be shamed or suffer some other negative consequences.

• Used in a sentence: I read a magazine article about the rules of dating. 

If someone rules something, they have control over it. They govern it or have authority over it. For example, a king rules a kingdom. Someone that rules something is its ruler.

• Real-life examples: An emperor or empress rules an empire. A lion rules the jungle. Your teacher rules the classroom.
• Used in a sentence: The huge alligator scared away all the other animals and now it rules the lake. 

In slang, if something rules, then it is really great or awesome.

• Used in a sentence: Skateboarding rules!

When capitalized, Rules is used as a short form of Australian Rules, a game played in Australia that is similar to rugby. Rules also refers to old English neighborhoods that surrounded prisons, which certain prisoners were allowed to visit under specific circumstances.

Rules is the plural noun and present tense verb of rule. The first records of rule come from around 1175. It ultimately comes from the Latin rēgula, meaning “straight stick.”

What are some other forms related to rules?

• rule (singular noun, infinitive verb)

What are some synonyms for rules?

• regulations
• laws
• guidelines
• controls
• governs
• dominates

What are some words that share a root or word element with rules? 

• rule
• rules committee
• rules of order

What are some words that often get used in discussing rules?

• game
• sports
• break
• bend
• cheat
• obey
• follow

Rules is a common word that most often refers to guidelines or decrees that people are expected to follow.

The new #COVID19 variant is spreading fast.

We must all follow the rules to reduce the spread of the virus.

Stay Home. Protect the NHS. Save Lives.

Click to read the rules and exemptions 👇

— Department of Health and Social Care (@DHSCgovuk) January 7, 2021

The NHL rulebook needs some major tweaking. Then, the refs who enforce the rules need to be held to a higher level of consistentcy.

— Reid Wilkins (@ReidWilkins) May 30, 2017

Is rules used correctly in the following sentence?

He was labeled a cheater because he tried to break the rules of the game and make illegal moves.