ruin

Pluralruins

Formsruins, ruining, ruined

1. 1
   nouncountableplural

   What is left of a building that has fallen down or been destroyed.

   Like the broken shell of a house after a big storm.

   The old castle is now just a ruin on the hill.

   We climbed over the ruins of an ancient temple.

   Similarremains, wreck, shell, relic

   Note
2. 2
   verbtransitive

   To damage something so badly that it can no longer be used.

   Like dropping your phone in water so it never works again.

   The flood ruined all the carpets in the basement.

   Don't ruin your new shoes by wearing them in the mud.

   Similardestroy, wreck, damage, break

   Oppositerepair, fix, restore

   Note
3. 3
   verbtransitive

   To spoil someone's plans or cause big problems for something.

   Like knocking over a tower of blocks right before it's finished.

   The rain ruined our plans for a picnic.

   One bad decision can ruin a whole project.

   Similarundo

   Oppositeboost, improve

4. 4
   verbtransitive

   To make something less fun or pleasant to enjoy.

   Like one bad smell that spoils a nice meal.

   Loud talking during the movie ruined it for everyone.

   Don't let one rude person ruin your day.

   Similarspoil, wreck, mar, blight

   Oppositeenhance, improve

   Note
5. 5
   noununcountable

   The state of being broken down, destroyed, or fallen apart.

   Like a sandcastle left to crumble after everyone goes home.

   The grand palace had fallen into ruin.

   Years of neglect left the farm in ruin.

   Similardecay, disrepair, dilapidation, destruction, devastation

   Note
6. 6
   nouncountable or uncountable

   The destruction or downfall of something, often happening suddenly.

   Like a row of dominoes falling until nothing is left standing.

   The empire's ruin came after years of war.

   Pride often leads to a person's ruin.

   Similardownfall, fall, collapse, overthrow, destruction

   Oppositerise

   Note
7. 7
   verbtransitive

   To tell the ending of a story before someone has seen it.

   Like someone telling you what's inside a wrapped gift before you open it.

   My friend ruined the movie by telling me who dies.

   Please don't ruin the book if you've already read it.

   Similarspoil

8. 8
   noununcountable

   Something that brings a person serious trouble or destruction.

   Like a small leak that slowly sinks a whole ship.

   Gambling was the ruin of his family.

   That one bad habit became his ruin.

   Similardownfall, undoing, bane, destruction, curse

   Oppositesalvation, making

   Note
9. 9
   nouncountable or uncountable

   The act of destroying or wrecking something.

   Like tearing up a drawing you spent hours making.

   Careless builders caused the ruin of the old church.

   They watched the slow ruin of the once-beautiful garden.

   Similardestruction, wrecking, demolition, devastation

   Oppositepreservation, restoration

10. 10
    noununcountable

    The complete loss of all your money, leaving you bankrupt.

    Like a piggy bank smashed open with nothing left inside.

    The failed deal brought him to financial ruin.

    Bad investments can lead to total ruin.

    Similarbankruptcy, insolvency, destitution, poverty

    Oppositeprosperity, wealth

11. 11
    verbtransitive

    To make a person or business lose all their money.

    Like a flood that washes away everything a shop owns.

    The lawsuit ruined the small bakery.

    A single bad season can ruin a farmer.

    Similarbankrupt, impoverish, break, beggar

    Oppositeenrich

    Note
12. 12
    verbhistoricaltransitive

    To harm someone's good name by leading them into a shameful love affair.

    The wealthy heir ruined her and then refused to marry.

    Gossip claimed the officer had set out to ruin the young woman.

    Similarseduce, dishonor, disgrace, compromise

    Note

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