ruin
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
Related Words: depredation, despoilment, despoliation; breakup, collapse, disintegration, dissolution; assassination, execution, killing, massacre, slaughter; dismantlement, effacement, eradication
Near Antonyms: rescue, salvage, salvation, saving; conservation, preservation, protection; reclamation, reconstruction, re-creation, refurbishment, regeneracy, remodeling, renovation, restoration
Learn More About RUIN
Browse
Next Word in the Dictionary: ruin agate
Previous Word in the Dictionary: Ruhmkorff coil
All Words Near: ruin
Previous Word in the Dictionary: Ruhmkorff coil
All Words Near: ruin
Seen & Heard 
What made you want to look up ruin? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
