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

Otherwise, store it in the crisper drawer inside an open produce bag (so the fruit can release ethylene without it being trapped in the bag; which could speed up ripening) for up to 1 week, Green suggests. —Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 Jan. 2025

Smaller berries and extended ripening result in wines with concentrated flavors and layered complexity. —Joseph V Micallef, Forbes, 7 Jan. 2025

Keep them away from any fruits and vegetables that naturally emit ethylene, a gas that speeds up ripening of anything in their orbit. —Karla Walsh, Southern Living, 22 Nov. 2024

With 12 apple varieties that ripen during the pick-your-own season, there’s enough diversity to satisfy fans of tangy Mcintoshes and honey-sweet Jonamacs alike. —Kat Chen, Condé Nast Traveler, 18 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