ruined

[ɹuːnd]

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ruin

An old building or place that's been damaged can be ruined.

When we say something is ruined, we usually mean it's not working or looking like it used to. We might use this word when talking about a project that didn't turn out as planned, or an event that got canceled at the last minute. For example, if you spent weeks building a treehouse and then a big storm came through and knocked it down, you could say your treehouse is ruined. This can also be used to describe something that's beyond repair, like an old car with a broken engine. The word 'ruined' can have different shades of meaning depending on the context: something might be partially damaged, or completely destroyed, but it always implies that something was valuable and is now not working as it should.

How common is "ruined"?

Word ruined is considered rare in modern English.
It appears most frequently in fiction texts and less often in other writings.

Definitions

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.