ruin
noun
ruins, the remains of a building, city, etc., that has been destroyed or that is in disrepair or a state of decay.
ruined
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past participleof ruin.past participle
A verb form used in perfect and passive verb constructions and that can also function as a modifier.
-
past tense formof ruin.past tense
Used to describe completed actions or previous habitual actions.
ruinnounruins, the remains of a building, city, etc., that has been destroyed or that is in disrepair or a state of decay.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
“He thinks he’ll get a dishonorable discharge, and just because he was burnt out, his 13-year-old career is ruined, just like that,” she said.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 8, 2026
The teens at French high schools, known as lycées, say that their studies are being ruined by high teacher absences, overlong school days and dilapidated facilities, as well as other grievances.
From Barron's ● Oct. 4, 2026
I listened to that thing over and over again, until I spilled a bottle of soap in my tape deck and ruined it.
From Salon ● Oct. 4, 2026
The "ruined shell" of 400-year-old Ty Du near Llanberis, Gwynedd, lies in the wooded foothills of Wales' highest mountain, Yr Wyddfa, also known as Snowdon.
From BBC ● Sep. 28, 2026
Wasn’t it bad enough that my life was ruined?
From Full of Beans by Jennifer L. Holm
