An ruin is something that has been completely destroyed or fallen apart. It's often a building or a place where people used to live.
When we talk about ruins, we usually think of old buildings like castles or temples that have stood for centuries but are now in a state of disrepair. Imagine visiting an ancient city and seeing crumbling stone walls with vines crawling up them - that's what ruins look like. People often use the word "ruin" to describe a place that was once grand and beautiful, but is now barely standing. You might hear someone say, "The old factory has been abandoned for years and it's become a ruin."
How common is "ruin"?
Word ruin is considered uncommon in modern English. It has a balanced usage among all categories: speech, fiction, newspapers and academic texts.
Definitions
noun
(sometimes in the plural) The remains of a destroyed or dilapidated construction, such as a house or castle.
The state of being a ruin, destroyed or decayed.
Example: The monastery has fallen into ruin.
Something that leads to serious trouble or destruction.
Example: Gambling has been the ruin of many.
A fall or tumble.
A change that destroys or defeats something; destruction; overthrow.
Example: the ruin of a ship or an army; the ruin of a constitution or a government; the ruin of health or hopes
Complete financial loss; bankruptcy.
1 / 6
verb
To cause the fiscal ruin of.
Example: With all these purchases, you surely mean to ruin us!
To destroy or make something no longer usable.
Example: He ruined his new white slacks by accidentally spilling oil on them.
To cause severe financial loss to; to bankrupt or drive out of business.
Example: The crooked stockbroker's fraudulent scheme ruined dozens of victims; some investors lost their life savings and even their houses.
To upset or overturn the plans or progress of, or to have a disastrous effect on something.
Example: My car breaking down just as I was on the road ruined my vacation.
To make something less enjoyable or likeable.
Example: I used to love that song, but being assaulted when that song was playing ruined the song for me.
To reveal the ending of (a story); to spoil.
To fall into a state of decay.
To seduce or debauch, and thus harm the social standing of.
Example: The young libertine was notorious for ruining local girls.
