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

Soils that become more saturated by the end of these extreme rainy seasons could ripen conditions for dangerous flooding. —Jack Prator, Orlando Sentinel, 30 Dec. 2024

Keep in mind that lemons, like citrus, do not ripen after being picked. —Joshua Siskin, Orange County Register, 20 Dec. 2024

Trees heavy with fruits that ripen through the color spectrum as winter progresses are as much a Southern California holiday tradition as tamales and the Rose Parade. —Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 18 Dec. 2024

That began to change as the fruits of industrialization and science ripened. —Jonathan Rauch, The Atlantic, 10 Dec. 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