rules lawyer

noun

Someone who attempts to take advantage of a given set of rules, usually by using an overly-literal interpretation that is contrary to their intent, or by selectively choosing which rules take precedence in a given situation.

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Meanings

nounrules lawyer (plural rules lawyers)

plural rules lawyers

  1. derogatoryslangSomeone who attempts to take advantage of a given set of rules, usually by using an overly-literal interpretation that is contrary to their intent, or by selectively choosing which rules take precedence in a given situation.
verbrules lawyer (third-person singular simple present rules lawyers, present participle rules lawyering, simple past and past participle rules lawyered)

present singular third person rules lawyers · participle present rules lawyering · participle past rules lawyered · past rules lawyered · alternative rules-lawyer

  1. derogatoryintransitiveslangTo behave as a rules lawyer.
Cite this entry
APA

rules lawyer. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/rules%20lawyer

MLA

“rules lawyer.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/rules%20lawyer. Accessed November 4, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “rules lawyer,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/rules%20lawyer.

Source: rules lawyer on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.