Link Centre Dictionary

ruin

UK/ˈɹuː.ɪn/ US/ˈɹuwɪn/ common
noun (6) verb (6)

noun

1.

an irrecoverable state of devastation and destruction

  • “you have brought ruin on this entire family”
Synonyms
2.

a ruined building

  • “they explored several Roman ruins”
3.
4.

an event that results in destruction

Synonyms
5.

failure that results in a loss of position or reputation

Synonyms
6.

verb

1.

destroy completely; damage irreparably

  • “You have ruined my car by pouring sugar in the tank!”
  • “The tears ruined her make-up”
Synonyms
2.

destroy or cause to fail

  • “This behavior will ruin your chances of winning the election”
3.

reduce to bankruptcy

  • “My daughter”
  • “;”
Synonyms
4.

reduce to ruins

  • “The country lay ruined after the war”
5.

deprive of virginity

  • “This dirty old man deflowered several young girls in the village”
Synonyms
6.

fall into ruin

Origin

From Middle English ruyne, ruine, from Old French ruine, from Latin ruīna (“overthrow, ruin”), from ruō (“to fall down, tumble, sink in ruin, rush”).

Phrases

  • blue ruin
  • gambler's ruin
  • modern ruin
  • mother's ruin
  • rack and ruin
  • ruin of the year
  • ruin pub
  • ruin-restoration creationism

Related words

Word family

Broader terms

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WordNet 2.1 (Princeton University). Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). CMU Pronouncing Dictionary. WordNet 2.1 Copyright Princeton University. All rights reserved. Wiktionary content is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike Licence.