ruin
B2Neutral to formal; common in both spoken and written English.
Definition
Meaning
To cause severe and irreversible damage or destruction to something, often resulting in its complete collapse or failure.
The physical remains of something that has been destroyed or severely damaged; a state of complete loss of wealth, status, or prospects; to cause someone's financial or social downfall.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
As a verb, it often implies an action that leads to a point of no return. As a noun, it can refer to the process of destruction, the resulting state, or the physical remnants (e.g., ancient ruins). It carries a strong negative connotation of loss and irreparability.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in core meaning or usage. Both varieties use the word identically in terms of grammar and semantics.
Connotations
Identical connotations of severe damage, destruction, and downfall in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally common and used with the same frequency in both British and American English.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
ruin somethingruin something for someonebe ruinedruin someone's life/chances/reputationVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “go to rack and ruin”
- “be the ruin of someone”
- “a ruinous expense”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Refers to catastrophic financial loss or the collapse of a company (e.g., 'The scandal brought the firm to ruin.').
Academic
Used in history/archaeology for physical remains, or in economics for describing collapse (e.g., 'the ruins of the Roman forum', 'the ruin of the agricultural sector').
Everyday
Commonly used for spoiled plans, moods, or items (e.g., 'The rain ruined our picnic.').
Technical
In engineering or geology, can describe structural collapse or erosion processes.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The burst pipe ruined the antique carpet.
- One careless comment could ruin your reputation.
- He didn't want to ruin the surprise.
American English
- The scandal ruined his political career.
- Don't ruin your appetite with cookies before dinner.
- The frost ruined the orange crop in Florida.
adverb
British English
- The business failed ruinously, leaving many unemployed.
- The plan backfired ruinously.
American English
- The investment turned out ruinously bad.
- The team played ruinously in the final quarter.
adjective
British English
- The family was left in a ruinous financial state after the lawsuit.
- It was a ruinously expensive project for the council.
American English
- They faced ruinous medical bills after the accident.
- The war had a ruinous effect on the country's infrastructure.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Too much rain will ruin the flowers.
- The old castle is a ruin now.
- The bad review could ruin the restaurant's reputation.
- We visited the ancient ruins of a temple.
- His gambling addiction brought the family to the brink of financial ruin.
- The new housing development will ruin the character of the village.
- The policy, while well-intentioned, proved ruinous for small businesses.
- Archaeologists are studying the ruins to understand the civilization's collapse.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a ancient stone RUIN - it's something that was once whole but is now broken and destroyed. The word itself sounds heavy and final, like 'rubble'.
Conceptual Metaphor
DESTRUCTION IS COLLAPSE / FAILURE IS FALLING (e.g., 'his career lay in ruins', 'she was ruined').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid confusing with 'руина' (a physical ruin) when the English means 'to spoil' (испортить). The English verb 'ruin' is broader. Do not use 'ruin' for minor damage - it implies severity.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'ruin' for temporary or minor problems (overuse). Incorrect: *'He ruined my pen by borrowing it.' Correct: 'He damaged my pen...' Confusing 'ruin' (irreversible) with 'spoil' (often reversible).
Practice
Quiz
In which sentence is 'ruin' used to mean 'physical remains of a destroyed building'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Ruin' often implies damage so severe that the original state cannot be recovered, especially for abstract things like reputation or plans. 'Destroy' is more physical and total. 'Spoil' is usually less severe and often reversible (e.g., spoiling food, spoiling a child).
Yes. Uncountable: 'The war led to economic ruin.' Countable (usually plural): 'We explored the ancient ruins.' As a singular countable noun, it's less common but possible: 'The old mill was a picturesque ruin.'
Yes, 'ruinous' is standard and means 'causing or likely to cause ruin; disastrous'. It is used in formal and journalistic contexts (e.g., 'ruinous costs', 'a ruinous policy').
'Go to rack and ruin' (also 'wrack and ruin') is a common idiom meaning to fall into a state of complete disrepair or decay, often through neglect.