How to pronounce ruin
Say it like ROO-un. Ruin has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (ROO).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce ruin. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- ROO
- un
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Ruin pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- ROOSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "oo" in food.
- unKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of ruin
American and British speakers say ruin in essentially the same way: /ˈruən/ in the US and /ˈruːɪn/ in the UK.
British respelling: ROO-in.
What does ruin mean?
- an irrecoverable state of devastation and destruction“you have brought ruin on this entire family”
- a ruined building“they explored several Roman ruins”
- the process of becoming dilapidated
- destroy completely; damage irreparably“You have ruined my car by pouring sugar in the tank!”“The tears ruined her make-up”
- destroy or cause to fail“This behavior will ruin your chances of winning the election”
- reduce to bankruptcy“My daughter's fancy wedding is going to break me!”“The slump in the financial markets smashed him”
Where does ruin come from?
From Middle English ruyne, ruine, from Old French ruine, from Latin ruīna (“overthrow, ruin”), from ruō (“to fall down, tumble, sink in ruin, rush”).
Questions about saying ruin
How do you pronounce ruin?
Say ROO-un. The American pronunciation is /ˈruən/. In British English it is /ˈruːɪn/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in ruin?
Ruin has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (ROO). Broken into parts: ROO · un.
Do Americans and Brits say ruin the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈruən/ and the British form is /ˈruːɪn/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.