What does the phrase smiled ruefully mean?

"Smiled ruefully" means to smile in a way that expresses a mixture of sadness, regret, and perhaps even a hint of humor.

Here's a breakdown:

* Smiled: This indicates a facial expression, but not a happy one.

* Ruefully: This word means "in a way that expresses sorrow or regret."

So, when someone smiles ruefully, they are trying to appear positive or lighthearted, but their smile masks a deeper feeling of sadness or disappointment. It's a way to acknowledge a situation that is not ideal, but without dwelling on the negativity.

Examples:

* "He smiled ruefully, knowing he had made a mistake."

* "She smiled ruefully at the pile of dishes, knowing she had a long night ahead of her."

Essentially, a rueful smile is a way of saying, "I'm not happy about this, but I'm going to try to make the best of it."