noun
Uncommon
ruse
rooz
Ruse (noun) means a clever trick or scheme meant to deceive someone. Example: “The whole invitation was just a ruse to get her out of the house.”
noun
1
A clever trick or scheme meant to deceive someone.
"The whole invitation was just a ruse to get her out of the house."
"He used a ruse to distract the guard while his partner slipped inside."
"Soon, however, Courvoisier forced matters, when, despairing of ever catching the wily outlaw leader by fair means, he resorted to the ruse of carrying off Friar Tuck of Copmanhurst and holding him as a hostage."
— Fred R. Hurworth, The Alchemist: A Story of the Days of Robin Hood (1922)
How to use ruse
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA trick or deceptive strategy used to mislead someone.
Common mistake
Don't confuse with "rouse" (to wake or stir up) — they sound similar but are unrelated in meaning.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
a clever ruse
use a ruse
a ruse to distract
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Word forms
- Plural
- ruses
- Third person singular
- ruses
- Past tense
- rused
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The whole invitation was just a _____ to get her out of the house.
Etymology
From Old French ruse ("trick, cunning"), originally describing the evasive doubling-back of a hunted animal.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for ruse
See all rhymes for ruse →Frequently asked questions
What does “ruse” mean?
The word “ruse” means a clever trick or scheme meant to deceive someone. In plain terms, a trick or deceptive strategy used to mislead someone.
How do you pronounce “ruse”?
“Ruse” is pronounced rooz (/ɹuːz/ in IPA).
How do you use “ruse” in a sentence?
Here is “ruse” used in a sentence: “The whole invitation was just a ruse to get her out of the house.”
What part of speech is “ruse”?
“Ruse” is a noun.
Where does the word “ruse” come from?
The word “ruse” comes from Old French. From Old French ruse ("trick, cunning"), originally describing the evasive doubling-back of a hunted animal.
Is “ruse” a common word?
“Ruse” is an uncommon word in modern English.
