Ruin Meaning
/ˈɹuː.ɪn/Definition, CEFR level B1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
nounThe remains of a destroyed or dilapidated construction, such as a house or castle.
nounThe state of being a ruin, destroyed or decayed.
Sentence Examples
Be more careful. Rushing through things is going to ruin your work.
A fussy referee can ruin a bout.
A large number of churches fell into ruin after the revolution.
CEFR Practice Quiz
If you pour water on your laptop, it will completely ____ the device.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The ancient castle had fallen into ____ after centuries of neglect and weathering.
Word Origin & History
From Middle English ruyne, ruine, from Old French ruine, from Latin ruīna (“overthrow, ruin”), from ruō (“to fall down, tumble, sink in ruin, rush”).
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"The Veian and the Gabian towirs shall fall, / And one promiscuous ruin cover all; / Nor, after length of years, a stone betray / The place where once the very ruins lay."
— 1705, J[oseph] Addison, Remarks on Several Parts of Italy, &c. in the Years 1701, 1702, 1703, London: […] Jacob Tonson, […], →OCLC:
"The labour of a day will not build up a virtuous habit on the ruins of an old and vicious character."
— a. 1812, Joseph Stevens Buckminster, sermon:
"A canister of flour from the kitchen had been thrown at the looking-glass and lay like trampled snow over the remains of a decent blue suit with the lining ripped out which lay on top of the ruin of a plastic wardrobe."
— 1963, Margery Allingham, “Foreword”, in The China Governess: A Mystery, London: Chatto & Windus, →OCLC:
"Dr. Manuel: No one is saved. The age of humanity is ended. Soon, only ruin and corpses will remain."
— 2008, BioWare, Mass Effect (Science Fiction), Redwood City: Electronic Arts, →ISBN, →OCLC, PC, scene: Eden Prime:
"Not only is Jerusalem not a ruin, but she is at the height of her glory compared to all of Jewish history!"
— 2024, David Golinkin, “Naḥem On Tisha B'Av: Is It Permissible To Change The Wording?”, in Responsa in a Moment, volume 4, page 136:
Explore More B1 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
If you pour water on your laptop, it will completely ____ the device.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The ancient castle had fallen into ____ after centuries of neglect and weathering.