# ruin

> English word · Noun · IPA /ˈɹuː.ɪn/ · frequency rank #4,265

## Definitions
1. The remains of a destroyed or dilapidated construction, such as a house or castle.
2. The state of being a ruin, destroyed or decayed.
3. Something that leads to serious trouble or destruction.
4. The act of ruining something.
5. The act of ruining something.
6. A fall or tumble.
7. A change that destroys or defeats something; destruction; overthrow.
8. Complete financial loss; bankruptcy.

## Etymology
From Middle English ruyne, ruine, from Old French ruine, from Latin ruīna (“overthrow, ruin”), from ruō (“to fall down, tumble, sink in ruin, rush”).

## Easily confused with
- **run** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/ruin-vs-run)
- **rum** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/ruin-vs-rum)
- **rut** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/ruin-vs-rut)
- **Rus** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/ruin-vs-rus)
- **rule** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/ruin-vs-rule)
- **runs** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/ruin-vs-runs)
- **Ryan** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/ruin-vs-ryan)
- **rush** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/ruin-vs-rush)
- **ruth** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/ruin-vs-ruth)
- **rust** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/ruin-vs-rust)
- **Russ** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/ruin-vs-russ)
- **rung** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/ruin-vs-rung)
- **ruse** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/ruin-vs-ruse)
- **rump** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/ruin-vs-rump)
- **rune** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/ruin-vs-rune)
- **Rumi** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/ruin-vs-rumi)
- **rusk** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/ruin-vs-rusk)
- **ruins** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/ruin-vs-ruins)
- **runny** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/ruin-vs-runny)
- **ruling** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/ruin-vs-ruling)

## Common misspellings (5)
`riun`, `rruin`, `ruinn`, `runi`, `urin`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/ruin