What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
disrepair
Example
The old house had fallen into disrepair after years of neglect. [disrepair: noun]
Example
The playground equipment was in a state of disrepair and needed to be fixed. [disrepair: adjective]
ruin
Example
The castle was in ruins after years of war and neglect. [ruins: noun]
Example
The fire had ruined the painting, leaving it charred and unrecognizable. [ruined: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Disrepair is more commonly used than ruin in everyday language. Disrepair is a more versatile word that can be used in a variety of contexts, while ruin is more specific and often used in historical or archaeological contexts.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between disrepair and ruin?
Both disrepair and ruin are relatively formal words that are appropriate for use in academic or professional writing. However, disrepair may be slightly less formal than ruin due to its more general usage.
