Etymology Map
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Ruin

3 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means destruction; the remains of a building

Where does the word "ruin" come from? It comes from Latin ruina, passing through Old French before entering English (1300s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
ruina
Latin · ancient
"a collapse"
from 'ruere', to fall violently
2
Stage 2 of 3
ruine
Old French · medieval
"collapse"
used of the fall of cities and empires
3
Stage 3 of 3
ruin
English · 1300s
"collapse"
'ruins' of buildings date from the 1400s; financial ruin followed
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Read the full story

Ruin’s story begins in Latin: ruina meant “a collapse.” From 'ruere', to fall violently. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as ruine. Used of the fall of cities and empires. It reached English by 1300s as ruin. 'ruins' of buildings date from the 1400s; financial ruin followed. Today, ruin means destruction; the remains of a building.