ripen

verb

rip·​en ˈrī-pən 

ˈrī-pᵊm

ripened; ripening ˈrī-pə-niŋ 

ˈrīp-niŋ

intransitive verb

: to grow or become ripe

fruits ripening on the tree

transitive verb

1

: to make ripe

You can ripen fruit faster by putting it in a paper bag.

2

a

: to bring to completeness or perfection

… the progress of time would rather increase and ripen their prosperity …

—Nathaniel Hawthorne

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 of ripen

• grow
• 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

Small, white flowers bloom from late winter to early spring, with fruit ripening in the fall on mature trees. —Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 10 Nov. 2025

Although pumpkins that have started to turn color can ripen off the vine, leaving them in the garden exposes them to slugs, rot, or damage from a hard freeze. —Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 9 Nov. 2025

The majority of Malbec in Bordeaux died out from frost in the 1950s, and Petit Verdot often ripens too late to make it into the final blend, so many vineyards have been replanted with other varieties over the years. —Mike Desimone, Robb Report, 9 Nov. 2025

That 600-foot-deep waters help keep the spring frost at bay, and its moderating effect extends the fall growing season just long enough for European vinifera grapes to ripen. —Iona Brannon, Travel + Leisure, 6 Nov. 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