ripen

verb

rip·​en ˈrī-pən 

ˈrī-pᵊm

ripened; ripening ˈrī-pə-niŋ 

ˈrīp-niŋ

intransitive verb

: to grow or become ripe

transitive verb

1

: to make ripe

2

a

: to bring to completeness or perfection

b

: to age or cure (cheese) to develop characteristic flavor, odor, body, texture, and color

c

: to improve flavor and tenderness of (beef or game) by aging under refrigeration

ripener

ˈrī-pə-nər 

ˈrīp-nər

noun

Synonyms

• age
• develop
• grow
• grow up
• mature
• progress

Examples of ripen in a Sentence

The tomatoes finished ripening on the windowsill.

You can ripen the fruit by placing it in a paper bag and storing it at room temperature for a few days.

Recent Examples on the Web

Similarly, Bosc Pear ripens up a dusty tone with something a bit yellowish-golden. —Tim Nelson, Architectural Digest, 17 Oct. 2024

While most Iowans look forward to sweet corn at the peak of summer, another cuisine is ripening at the same time: huitlacoche — a misunderstood corn fungus that's overlooked in the U.S., but considered a delicacy in parts of Mexico. —Linh Ta, Axios, 15 Oct. 2024

Even melons that won't ripen or grow sweeter at room temperature, like honeydew, do become softer and juicier. —Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 12 Oct. 2024

Unlike pineapples, which don’t ripen any further after being picked, bananas do ripen; shifting from green to yellow to brown-speckled to brown. —Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 30 Sep. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Kids Definition

ripen

verb

rip·​en ˈrī-pən 

ripened; ripening ˈrīp-(ə-)niŋ 

: to make or become ripe