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

Dig in: This Japanese berry varietal, which ripens fully on the vine before being picked and packaged, blew me away with its intense berry flavor and a fruity fragrance that filled the room. —Monica Eng, Axios, 1 Oct. 2024

However, after the banana ripens, those resistant starches are transformed into sugars through a process that breaks them down. —Angelica Bottaro, Verywell Health, 4 Nov. 2024

Light green tomatoes will usually ripen off the plant, but small tomatoes with dark green skins should be discarded. —Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 Oct. 2024

Also, different apple varieties will ripen at different times of the year, explains Kay, pointing out the three seasons for apples: early, mid, and late season. —Stacey Lastoe, Southern Living, 5 Oct. 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