adj
Common
ruined
ROO-ihnd
Ruined (adj) means Destroyed, badly damaged, or left in a state of decay. Example: “After the fire, all that remained was a ruined barn and a few blackened beams.”
adj
1
Destroyed, badly damaged, or left in a state of decay.
"After the fire, all that remained was a ruined barn and a few blackened beams."
"They wandered through a ruined abbey on the hillside."
"The flood left the ground floor completely ruined."
How to use ruined
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishWrecked, broken down, or financially/emotionally destroyed.
Common pairings
ruined castle
financially ruined
ruined reputation
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more ruined
- Superlative
- most ruined
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After the fire, all that remained was a _____ barn and a few blackened beams.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for ruined
See all rhymes for ruined →Frequently asked questions
What does “ruined” mean?
The word “ruined” means destroyed, badly damaged, or left in a state of decay. In plain terms, wrecked, broken down, or financially/emotionally destroyed.
How do you pronounce “ruined”?
“Ruined” is pronounced ROO-ihnd (/ˈɹuɪnd/ in IPA).
How do you use “ruined” in a sentence?
Here is “ruined” used in a sentence: “They wandered through a ruined abbey on the hillside.”
What part of speech is “ruined”?
“Ruined” is an adjective.
Is “ruined” a common word?
“Ruined” is a fairly common word in modern English.
What is the difference between "ruined" and "destroyed"?
"Destroyed" means completely wrecked or wiped out, while "ruined" means badly damaged or spoilt, often with something still remaining. A destroyed building may be reduced to rubble, whereas a ruined castle can still stand as a decayed structure.
What is the difference between "ruined" and "spoiled"?
Both can mean something good has been harmed, but "ruined" implies more serious or complete damage, while "spoiled" (or "spoilt") suggests something has been made less enjoyable or has gone bad. Rain spoiled the picnic, but a flood ruined the house.
Can "ruined" describe more than physical damage?
Yes. Besides physical destruction or decay, "ruined" often describes something spoilt figuratively, such as a ruined reputation, ruined plans, or a ruined evening. In these uses it means damaged beyond easy repair.
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