ripen

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verb rip·en \ˈrī-pən, ˈrī-p^əm\

: to become ripe and ready to eat

: to make (something) ripe

rip·enedrip·en·ing \ˈrī-pə-niŋ, ˈrīp-niŋ\

Full Definition of RIPEN

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

— rip·en·er \ˈrī-pə-nər, ˈrīp-nər\ noun

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Examples of RIPEN

1. The tomatoes finished ripening on the windowsill.
2. You can ripen the fruit by placing it in a paper bag and storing it at room temperature for a few days.

First Known Use of RIPEN

1561

Related to RIPEN

Synonyms

age, develop, grow, grow up, progress, mature

Related Words

mellow, soften; bloom, blossom, burgeon (also bourgeon), flourish, flower; open, unfold; advance, evolve; get along, get on, gray (also grey)

Near Antonyms

decay, decline, degenerate, deteriorate, sink, worsen; droop, dry, fade, flag, sag, shrivel, wane, waste (away), weaken, wilt, wither; regress, retrogress, revert; backslide, lapse, return