What does "ruin" mean?
The remains of a destroyed or dilapidated construction, such as a house or castle.
Ruin
noun, verb
noun, verb ·2 syllables ·Top 500 ·Elementary level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: The remains of a destroyed or dilapidated construction, such as a house or castle.
- Grammar: ruin is listed as noun, verb.
- Nearest alternatives: destroy, downfall, ruination, abrogate.
- Useful contrasts: basic design, danish skabe, manicured.
- Usage evidence: Be more careful. Rushing through things is going to ruin your work.
How to use "ruin"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "ruin" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "ruin" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "ruin" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "ruin" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "ruin" is acting as noun, verb in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "destroy" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "ruin", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 The remains of a destroyed or dilapidated construction, such as a house or castle. countable, in-plural, sometimes
"The Veian and the Gabian towirs shall fall, / And one promiscuous ruin cover all; / Nor, after length of years, a stone betray / The place where once the very ruins lay."
- 2 destruction achieved by causing something to be wrecked or ruined wordnet
- 3 The state of being a ruin, destroyed or decayed. uncountable
"The monastery has fallen into ruin."
- 4 a ruined building wordnet
- 5 Something that leads to serious trouble or destruction. uncountable
"Gambling has been the ruin of many."
Show 9 more definitions
- 6 failure that results in a loss of position or reputation wordnet
- 7 The act of ruining something. countable, uncountable
- 8 an event that results in destruction wordnet
- 9 The act of ruining something.; Clipping of ruined orgasm abbreviation, alt-of, clipping, countable, uncountable
- 10 the process of becoming dilapidated wordnet
- 11 A fall or tumble. countable, obsolete, uncountable
"His ruin startled th’ other steeds."
- 12 an irrecoverable state of devastation and destruction wordnet
- 13 A change that destroys or defeats something; destruction; overthrow. countable, uncountable
"the ruin of a ship or an army"
- 14 Complete financial loss; bankruptcy. uncountable
Verb
- 1 To cause the fiscal ruin of; to bankrupt or drive out of business. transitive
"With all these purchases, you surely mean to ruin us!"
- 2 fall into ruin wordnet
- 3 To destroy or render something no longer usable or operable.
"He ruined his new white slacks by accidentally spilling oil on them."
- 4 deprive of virginity wordnet
- 5 To destroy (e.g. a city) so as to leave ruins.
"By the fireside there are old men seated, / Seeing ruined cities in the ashes."
Show 10 more definitions
- 6 destroy completely; damage irreparably wordnet
- 7 To upset or overturn the plans or progress of, or to have a disastrous effect on something.
"My car breaking down just as I was on the road ruined my vacation."
- 8 reduce to ruins wordnet
- 9 To make something less enjoyable or likeable.
"I used to love that song, but being assaulted when that song was playing ruined the song for me."
- 10 reduce to bankruptcy wordnet
- 11 To make (someone) have a ruined orgasm.
- 12 destroy or cause to fail wordnet
- 13 To reveal the ending of (a story); to spoil.
- 14 To fall into a state of decay. obsolete
"Though he his house of polisht marble build, / Yet shall it ruine like the Moth's fraile cell"
- 15 To seduce or debauch, and thus harm the social standing of. historical, transitive
"The young libertine was notorious for ruining local girls."
Example
"Be more careful. Rushing through things is going to ruin your work."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "ruin"?
Common synonyms include: destroy, downfall, ruination, abrogate, abuse, afterglow.
How do you use "ruin" in a sentence?
Be more careful. Rushing through things is going to ruin your work.
Etymology
From Middle English ruyne, ruine, from Old French ruine, from Latin ruīna (“overthrow, ruin”), from ruō (“I fall down, tumble, sink in ruin, rush”).