ripe

adjective

ˈrīp How to pronounce ripe (audio)
riper; ripest
Synonyms of ripenext
1
: fully grown and developed : mature
ripe fruit
ripe wheat
2
: having mature knowledge, understanding, or judgment
3
: of advanced years : late
a ripe old age
4
a
: suitable, appropriate
the time was ripe for the attempt
b
: fully prepared : ready
the colonies were ripe for revolution
5
a
: brought by aging to full flavor or the best state : mellow
ripe cheese
b
: smelly, stinking
6
: ruddy, plump, or full like ripened fruit
a ripe figure
7
: indecent
ripe language
ripely adverb
ripeness noun

Synonyms

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

Examples of ripe in a Sentence

The apples are nearly ripe. the clothes of the field hands were sweaty and ripe after a hard day's work
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Today it is produced as a light wine with smooth, ripe tannins, floral violet notes and juicy berries. — Lana Bortolot, Forbes.com, 31 Mar. 2025 Where to Store Pineapples Your uncut, ripe pineapple will stay fresh for up to 3 days sitting on the countertop. — Katlyn Moncada, Better Homes & Gardens, 28 Mar. 2025 Its aroma is rich with floral fragrances and notes of ripe fruit, notably acacia, wisteria, orange, and bergamot flowers, along with hints of sage and lemon. — Robb Report Studio, Robb Report, 26 Mar. 2025 And 12, on the cusp of puberty, is a ripe time for developing a sense of identity. — Clare Mulroy, USA TODAY, 25 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for ripe

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Old English rīpe; akin to Old English rīpan, reopan to reap

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of ripe was before the 12th century

Phrases Containing ripe

Rhymes for ripe

See All Rhymes for ripe

Browse Nearby Words

rip current
ripe
ripe for abuse
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Ripe.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ripe. Accessed 9 Apr. 2025.

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Kids Definition

ripe

adjective
ˈrīp How to pronounce ripe (audio)
riper; ripest
1
: fully grown and developed
a ripe tomato
2
: having mature knowledge, understanding, or judgment
3
: ready entry 1 sense 1
ripe for action
4
: brought to just the right state
ripely adverb
ripeness noun

Legal Definition

ripe

adjective
1
: of, relating to, or being a claim for relief that is ready for judicial resolution because the injury is certain to occur and is not merely hypothetical or speculative compare moot
2
: ready and appropriate for disclosure because reasonably determined to be valid and not required to be kept secret for business reasons
—used of corporate information
ripeness noun

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Nglish: Translation of ripe for Spanish Speakers

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