ruin
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About Our Definitions: All forms of a word (noun, verb, etc.) are now displayed on one page.1ru·in
noun \ˈrü-ən, -ˌin; ˈrün\Definition of RUIN
1
a archaic : a falling down : collapse <from age to age … the crash of ruin fitfully resounds — William Wordsworth> b : physical, moral, economic, or social collapse
2
a : the state of being ruined —archaic except in plural <the city lay in ruins> b : the remains of something destroyed —usually used in plural <the ruins of an ancient temple> <the ruins of his life>
3
: a cause of destruction
5
: a ruined building, person, or object
— ru·in·ate \ˈrü-ə-ˌnāt, -nət\ adjective
— ruinate \-ˌnāt\ transitive verb
See Examples of RUIN
- The incident led to the ruin of their relationship.
- The abandoned town had gone to ruin.
- Don't let the house your grandfather built fall into ruin.
- The castle is now a ruin.
- The drought brought economic ruin to local farmers.
- Her drug addiction brought her to the brink of ruin.
Origin of RUIN
Middle English ruine, from Anglo-French, from Latin ruina, from ruere to rush headlong, fall, collapse
First Known Use: 12th century
Related to RUIN
- Synonyms
- annihilation, decimation, demolishment, demolition, desolation, devastation, extermination, extinction, havoc, loss, mincemeat, obliteration, destruction, ruination, wastage, wreckage
- Antonyms
- building, construction, erection, raising
2ruin
verbDefinition of RUIN
transitive verb
2
a : to damage irreparably b : bankrupt, impoverish <ruined by stock speculation>
3
: to subject to frustration, failure, or disaster <will ruin your chances of promotion>
intransitive verb
: to become ruined
— ru·in·er noun
Examples of RUIN
- The bad weather ruined the party.
- I ruined the sauce by adding too much garlic.
- His low test scores ruined his chances of getting into a good school.
- Poor customer service ruined the company's reputation.
- He was ruined by debt.
- The scandal ruined the mayor.
First Known Use of RUIN
1585
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All Words Near: ruin
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