What is ruined? Pronunciation and usage in English

ruined means . Learn how to pronounce and use ruined through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of ruined

ruinedadjective

/ˈruːɪnd/
Definition & pronunciation of ruined

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "ruined". It can be tricky for some! Here's a breakdown:

1. The Basic Sound:

  • "ruh" - This is the most important part. It's a short, quick sound, like the "uh" in "sun" or "cup". Make sure it's not a long "oo" sound like in "moon."
  • "ined" - This part is the tricky bit. It's pronounced like "een" (as in "seen"), but with a slight "d" sound at the end.

2. Putting it Together:

The whole word is pronounced like: "ruh-ined"

Here's a more detailed breakdown of how to articulate it:

  • "ruh": Make a brief, open "uh" sound. Your mouth should be relaxed.
  • "ined": Round your lips slightly and say "een," then quickly add a very light "d" sound. Don't overemphasize the "d" – it’s almost like a tiny, quick flap of the tongue against the back of your teeth.

3. Tips for Practice:

  • Listen to Examples: The best way to learn is to hear it. Here are some resources:
    • Google Search: Search "how to pronounce ruined" on Google and listen to the audio results.
    • Forvo: https://forvo.com/word/%C3%98ined/ – This website lets you hear native speakers pronounce the word in different accents.
    • YouTube: Search YouTube for "how to pronounce ruined" - you'll find many videos.
  • Slow Down: When you're practicing, say it slowly at first, focusing on each syllable.
  • Record Yourself: Record yourself saying the word and compare it to a native speaker's pronunciation. It can be eye-opening!

Do you want me to:

  • Provide a more detailed phonetic transcription (using the International Phonetic Alphabet)?
  • Give you some example sentences where "ruined" is used?

Usage and examples with the word ruined in English

Let's break down how to use the word "ruined" in English. It's a versatile word with a few different meanings, primarily relating to destruction or spoiling.

1. As a Verb (Past Participle Used as a Verb):

  • Meaning 1: To destroy completely; to spoil. This is the most common usage. It describes something being utterly damaged or made unusable.

    • Examples:
      • "The hurricane ruined the beach." (The beach was completely destroyed.)
      • "He ruined his chances of getting the job by being late for the interview." (He spoiled his opportunity.)
      • "The thief ruined her beautiful antique vase." (The vase was completely destroyed)
      • "Poor weather ruined our camping trip." (The weather spoiled the trip.)

  • Meaning 2: To spoil or damage (something intangible). This can apply to things like relationships, reputations, or even ideas.

    • Examples:
      • "His constant complaining ruined the romantic atmosphere." (He spoiled the atmosphere.)
      • "She ruined his reputation with her scandalous behavior." (Her behavior damaged his reputation.)
      • "The argument ruined our friendship." (It destroyed the friendship.)

2. As an Adjective:

  • Meaning: Completely destroyed; spoiled. When used as an adjective, it describes something that has been ruined.

    • Examples:
      • "The city was left ruined after the war." (The city was completely destroyed.)
      • "She wore a ruined dress – it had a tear in the seam." (The dress was damaged.)
      • "He had a ruined evening after the cancellation." (The evening was spoiled.)

Key Considerations & Nuances:

  • Degree of Destruction: “Ruined” generally implies a significant, almost complete loss or destruction. “Damaged” suggests a less severe problem.

  • Emotional Impact: "Ruined" often carries a strong emotional weight, implying a loss of something valuable or cherished.

  • Figurative Use: It's frequently used in figurative language to describe situations or relationships that have been negatively affected.

Synonyms:

Depending on the context, you might use words like:

  • Destroyed
  • Damaged
  • Spoiled
  • Obliterated
  • Wrecked
  • Decimated

Resources for Further Learning:

To help me give you even more targeted advice, could you tell me:

  • What kind of context are you thinking about? (e.g., writing a story, discussing a specific event, just wanting to understand the word better?)

Synonyms for the word ruined

Practice with vocabulary ruined

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. The sudden power outage during the server migration completely ___________ the data transfer, requiring hours of recovery work.
  2. Years of environmental neglect have ___________ the pristine natural beauty of the national park.
  3. The minor accident merely ___________ the car's paintwork, but it wasn't severely damaged.
  4. His repeated tardiness for critical meetings began to ___________ his professional reputation within the department.

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer (there may be multiple correct answers per question)

  1. The company's unethical practices completely ___________ its public image and investor confidence. a) restored b) boosted c) ruined d) enhanced e) destroyed f) preserved

  2. A single miscalculation during the launch sequence could ___________ the entire mission. a) jeopardize b) ensure c) complete d) ruin e) facilitate f) nullify

  3. The unexpected heavy rain __________ the carefully planned outdoor concert, making it impossible to continue. a) invigorated b) improved c) ruined d) brightened e) enhanced f) destroyed

  4. The new software update ___________ the system's performance, causing frequent crashes. a) optimized b) enhanced c) improved d) deteriorated e) stabilized f) boosted

  5. Due to the sudden change in regulations, the project's funding was ___________, leading to significant delays. a) secured b) increased c) compromised d) guaranteed e) reinforced f) augmented

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. The severe flooding rendered the old bridge completely unusable and beyond repair.

    • Rewrite using "ruined":

  2. His careless remarks completely shattered the trust his colleagues had placed in him.

    • Rewrite using "ruined":

  3. The breach of data security put the company's reputation at serious risk.

    • Rewrite using a suitable replacement word (do not use "ruined"):

Answer:

Exercise 1: Fill in the blanks

  1. ruined
  2. ruined
  3. damaged
  4. undermine

Exercise 2: Choose the correct answer

  1. c) ruined, e) destroyed
  2. a) jeopardize, d) ruin, f) nullify
  3. c) ruined, f) destroyed
  4. d) deteriorated
  5. c) compromised

Exercise 3: Rewrite the sentences

  1. The severe flooding ruined the old bridge, making it completely unusable and beyond repair.
  2. His careless remarks completely ruined the trust his colleagues had placed in him.
  3. The breach of data security jeopardized the company's reputation.

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