Definition Definition

ruin - Meaning and Examples

Meaning of 'ruin' (Webster Dictionary)

1 . Ruin [ n.]
- The act of falling or tumbling down; fall.
- Such a change of anything as destroys it, or entirely defeats its object, or unfits it for use; destruction; overthrow; as, the ruin of a ship or an army; the ruin of a constitution or a government; the ruin of health or hopes.
- That which is fallen down and become worthless from injury or decay; as, his mind is a ruin; especially, in the plural, the remains of a destroyed, dilapidated, or desolate house, fortress, city, or the like.
- The state of being dcayed, or of having become ruined or worthless; as, to be in ruins; to go to ruin.
- That which promotes injury, decay, or destruction.
- To bring to ruin; to cause to fall to pieces and decay; to make to perish; to bring to destruction; to bring to poverty or bankruptcy; to impair seriously; to damage essentially; to overthrow.
2 . Ruin [ v. i.]
- To fall to ruins; to go to ruin; to become decayed or dilapidated; to perish.

Meaning of 'ruin' (Princeton's WordNet)

1 . ruin [ n]
Meaning (1):
- a ruined building
Example in sentence:
  • they explored several Roman ruins
Meaning (2):
- an irrecoverable state of devastation and destruction
Example in sentence:
  • you have brought ruin on this entire family
3 . ruin [ v]
Meaning (3):
- reduce to bankruptcy
Example in sentence:
  • My daughter's fancy wedding is going to break me!;
  • The slump in the financial markets smashed him
Meaning (4):
- reduce to ruins
Example in sentence:
  • The country lay ruined after the war
Meaning (5):
- destroy completely; damage irreparably
Example in sentence:
  • The tears ruined her make-up;
  • You have ruined my car by pouring sugar in the tank!
Meaning (6):
- destroy or cause to fail
Example in sentence:
  • This behavior will ruin your chances of winning the election
Meaning (7):
- deprive of virginity
Example in sentence:
  • This dirty old man deflowered several young girls in the village

Nearby Words:

ruinable ruinate ruination ruined ruiner ruing ruiniform ruining ruinous

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