ripe

ripe

adj \ˈrīp\

rip·errip·est

Definition of RIPE

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>

— ripe·ly adverb

— ripe·ness noun

Examples of RIPE

1. The apples are nearly ripe.
2. <the clothes of the field hands were sweaty and ripe after a hard day's work>

Origin of RIPE

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

First Known Use: before 12th century

Related to RIPE

Synonyms: adult, full-blown, full-fledged, matured, mature, ripened

Antonyms: adolescent, green, immature, juvenile, unripe, unripened, young, youngish, youthful

Related Words: aged, aging (or ageing), long-lived, old, older; golden, mellow

Near Antonyms: blooming, blossoming, burgeoning, flourishing, flowering; undeveloped, unfinished, unfledged, unformed

see all synonyms and antonyms

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Other Botany Terms

annual, burgeon, chloroplast, nomenclature, succulent, sylvan, xylem

Rhymes with RIPE

Cuyp, gripe, hype, pipe, snipe, stipe, stripe, swipe, tripe, type, wipe