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

And here everything does ripen, an eventuality that this movie charts with wry humor, appreciable regional sensitivity and many wheels of artisanal cheese. —The New York Times, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2025

One of the best recent vintages was 2019, whose long, warm growing season created perfect conditions for ripening. —Mike Desimone and Jeff Jenssen, Robb Report, 24 Feb. 2025

Remember that your goal is to establish a cereal-bowl shape to the trees so that sunlight will reach the ripening fruit, also so that the weight of the fruit will be evenly spread over stronger branches. —Neil Sperry, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 Feb. 2025

Volcanic soil and cooling winds allow the grape to ripen gradually, developing a flavor profile unique to this dramatic landscape. —Rachel King, Forbes.com, 30 Mar. 2025

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