Principle vs. Rule: What's the Difference?
Edited by Harlon Moss || By Janet White || Updated on October 17, 2023
Principle is not an incorrect spelling of Rule; they are separate words with different meanings. "Rule" refers to an authoritative regulation or guideline.
Key Differences
"Principle" contains "pal," like a fundamental friend, while "rule" is shorter, like the regulations it represents.
"Principle" ends in "-ple," as does "example," and principles are often exemplary standards; "rule" ends in "-ule," as does "regulate," and rules are regulations.
"Princi-" in "principle" reminds one of "prince," indicating leadership, whereas "ru-" in "rule" can be associated with "ruler," a person or means of measurement.
"Principles" guide decision-making (broad, subjective), while "rules" are specific standards or instructions to follow (precise, objective).
"Principle" has "le" at the end, but it's not small (little); "rule" has "rule" like "ruler," both providing guidelines.
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Principle and Rule Definitions
Principle
Principle is an incorrect spelling of Rule.
Rule
Control or dominion over an area or people.
The queen's rule was just and fair.
Rule
A judicial or legal decision.
The judge made a rule against the objection.
Rule
Governing power or its possession or use; authority.
Rule
The duration of such power.
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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.
Rule
The body of regulations prescribed by the founder of a religious order for governing the conduct of its members.
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).
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.
Rule
(Mathematics) A standard method or procedure for solving a class of problems.
Rule
A court decision serving as a precedent for subsequent cases
The Miranda rule.
Rule
A legal doctrine or principle.
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 exercise control, dominion, or direction over; govern
Rule a kingdom.
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).
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
An authoritative direction or regulation for action.
The golden rule is to treat others as you wish to be treated.
Rule
A standard procedure for solving a mathematical problem.
The rule of thirds improves photographic composition.
Rule
A code or principle governing behavior or action within a specific area of activity.
The rules of the game were well established.
FAQs
Which vowel is used before Rule?
There is no vowel before "rule."
What is the pronunciation of Rule?
It's pronounced as "rool."
What is the singular form of Rule?
The singular form is "rule."
Which conjunction is used with Rule?
There's no specific conjunction used exclusively with "rule"; it depends on the sentence.
Why is it called Rule?
It's called "rule" from the Old French "rule" and Latin "regula," meaning "straight stick, bar, ruler, pattern."
What is the verb form of Rule?
The verb form is "to rule," meaning to govern or control.
What is the plural form of Rule?
The plural form is "rules."
What is the root word of Rule?
The root word is the Latin "regula," meaning "straight stick" or "bar."
Which preposition is used with Rule?
Prepositions like "under," "by," and "of" can be used with "rule."
Which article is used with Rule?
Both "a" and "the" can be used with "rule," depending on the context.
Is Rule a noun or adjective?
"Rule" is primarily a noun, but also can be a verb. It is not an adjective.
Is Rule an adverb?
No, "rule" is not an adverb.
Is Rule a collective noun?
No, it's not a collective noun.
Is the Rule term a metaphor?
It can be used metaphorically in certain contexts.
How do we divide Rule into syllables?
"Rule" is not divided; it is a single-syllable word.
What part of speech is Rule?
It is a noun and can also be used as a verb.
What is the third form of Rule?
The third form (past participle) is "ruled."
What is the opposite of Rule?
Opposites include exception, disorder, chaos, disobedience.
Is Rule an abstract noun?
Yes, when referring to an authoritative regulation or guideline, it is abstract.
Is Rule a negative or positive word?
It is neutral; its connotation depends on the context in which it is used.
How many syllables are in Rule?
There is one syllable in "rule."
What is a stressed syllable in Rule?
The single syllable in "rule" is stressed.
What is the first form of Rule?
The first form (base form) is "rule."
What is another term for Rule?
Synonyms include regulation, guideline, dictate, command, and law (noun); govern, dominate, control (verb).
Which determiner is used with Rule?
"The" is commonly used as a determiner with "rule," but others like "this," "each," "my," can also be used depending on context.
What is the second form of Rule?
The second form (past simple) is "ruled."
How is Rule used in a sentence?
"The first rule of the club is that no one talks about the clu
Is Rule a vowel or consonant?
"Rule" is a word, not a letter; it contains both vowels and consonants.
Is Rule a countable noun?
Yes, you can have one rule or many rules.
Is the word Rule imperative?
"Rule" itself is not imperative, but it can be used in an imperative sentence.
About Author
Written by
Janet WhiteJanet White has been an esteemed writer and blogger for Difference Wiki. Holding a Master's degree in Science and Medical Journalism from the prestigious Boston University, she has consistently demonstrated her expertise and passion for her field. When she's not immersed in her work, Janet relishes her time exercising, delving into a good book, and cherishing moments with friends and family.
Edited by
Harlon MossHarlon is a seasoned quality moderator and accomplished content writer for Difference Wiki. An alumnus of the prestigious University of California, he earned his degree in Computer Science. Leveraging his academic background, Harlon brings a meticulous and informed perspective to his work, ensuring content accuracy and excellence.
