ruin

2 syllables

Quick answer

As a noun, ruin means the remains of a destroyed or dilapidated construction, such as a house or castle. As a verb, it means cause the fiscal ruin of.

Meanings of ruin

24 meanings

noun

sometimes in the pluralThe remains of a destroyed or dilapidated construction, such as a house or castle.
The state of being a ruin, destroyed or decayed.
“The monastery has fallen into ruin.”
Something that leads to serious trouble or destruction.
“Gambling has been the ruin of many.”
The act of ruining something.
A change that destroys or defeats something; destruction; overthrow.
“the ruin of a ship or an army;&emsp; the ruin of a constitution or a government;&emsp; the ruin of health or hopes”
Complete financial loss; bankruptcy.
An irrecoverable state of devastation and destruction
“you have brought ruin on this entire family”
Similar: ruination
A ruined building
“they explored several Roman ruins”
The process of becoming dilapidated
Similar: dilapidation
Failure that results in a loss of position or reputation
Similar: downfall, ruination
Destruction achieved by causing something to be wrecked or ruined
Similar: laying waste, ruining, ruination, wrecking

Older and rare meanings (1)

obsoleteA fall or tumble.

verb

To cause the fiscal ruin of; to bankrupt or drive out of business.
“With all these purchases, you surely mean to ruin us!”
To destroy or make something no longer usable.
“He ruined his new white slacks by accidentally spilling oil on them.”
To upset or overturn the plans or progress of, or to have a disastrous effect on something.
“My car breaking down just as I was on the road ruined my vacation.”
To make something less enjoyable or likeable.
“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.
Destroy completely; damage irreparably
“You have ruined my car by pouring sugar in the tank!”
“The tears ruined her make-up”
Similar: destroy
Destroy or cause to fail
“This behavior will ruin your chances of winning the election”
Reduce to bankruptcy
“My daughter's fancy wedding is going to break me!”
“The slump in the financial markets smashed him”
Similar: bankrupt, break, smash
Reduce to ruins
“The country lay ruined after the war”
Deprive of virginity
“This dirty old man deflowered several young girls in the village”
Similar: deflower

Older and rare meanings (2)

obsoleteTo fall into a state of decay.
historicalTo seduce or debauch, and thus harm the social standing of.
“The young libertine was notorious for ruining local girls.”

Meanings from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Open English WordNet (CC BY 4.0).