# ruin

/ˈɹuən/ (US) · /ɹˈuːɪn/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/ruin
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. to spoil or destroy

verb · CEFR B1

to spoil something so much that it is no longer useful or enjoyable.

For teachers: to damage something irreparably or to diminish its quality to the point of worthlessness.

- The sudden rain ruined our plans for a picnic in the park.
- The scandal threatened to ruin his professional reputation, undoing decades of meticulous networking and public service.

### 2. to bankrupt

verb · CEFR B2

to make someone or a company lose all their money.

For teachers: to cause total financial failure or bankruptcy. Transitive use.

- The high cost of the lawsuit almost ruined the small family business.
- Hyperinflation and the collapse of the banking sector effectively ruined thousands of middle-class families overnight.

### 3. old buildings

noun · CEFR B1

the parts of a building that remain after it has been destroyed or has become very old.

For teachers: the remains of a building, city, or structure that has suffered collapse or decay. Often used in the plural.

- We spent the afternoon exploring the ruins of the ancient castle.
- The archaeological team spent months excavating the Roman ruins, uncovering mosaics that had been buried for nearly two millennia.

### 4. state of destruction

noun · CEFR B2

a state of being destroyed or having lost everything, especially money.

For teachers: the state of being decayed or destroyed; often refers to financial or social collapse.

- The gambler's addiction led his family to financial ruin.
- After the war, the city lay in ruin, with essential infrastructure completely severed and the population displaced.

## Examples

- The heavy rain brought ruin to the farmers' crops.
- After the stock market crashed, many investors faced total financial ruin and had to sell their homes.
- The ivy-covered ruin of the medieval chapel stood as a silent witness to the centuries of history that had passed through the valley.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.