Words / A2

ROO-in/ˈruːɪn/

Ruin as a verb means spoil something completely: ruin the picnic, ruin your shoes, the rain ruined it. Spoil is a close cousin, often a little weaker. Destroy is stronger (break to pieces). Ruins as a noun are old broken buildings. Past: ruined. Do not write rune (old letters) for ruin.

Meaning

To damage something so badly that it is spoiled.

Examples

• “The rain ruined our picnic in the park.”
• “Spilling coffee ruined the last page of her notes.”
• “Don’t let one mistake ruin the whole trip.”

Good to know

ruin the picnic / shoes. Cousin: spoil. Stronger: destroy. Noun extra: ruins (old buildings).

Near in meaning

spoil

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