ripe

adjective

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\ ˈrīp

riper; ripest

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

4a : suitable, appropriate the time was ripe for the attempt

b : fully prepared : ready the colonies were ripe for revolution

5a : 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

Other Words from ripe Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Phrases Containing ripe Learn More About ripe

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 Experts explain why this moment is ripe for this art form. — Staff Report, USA TODAY, 3 Aug. 2022 Time For Action Highly fragmented markets with many players are ripe for this type of entrepreneurial risk-taking, and the need is pressing. — Mark Cameron, Forbes, 2 Aug. 2022 But Rossner’s novels excel at creating scenarios that are ripe for obsessional thinking. — Hannah Gold, The New Yorker, 2 Aug. 2022 From its rugged coasts and rainforests to dense evergreen wilderness and sprawling plains, Canada’s network of enticing outdoor playgrounds are ripe for exploration. — J.d. Simkins, Sunset Magazine, 20 July 2022 Netflix also recently acquired the rights to Roald Dahl’s characters, many of which could be ripe for animated adaptations. — Alex Weprin, The Hollywood Reporter, 19 July 2022 In the West Bank, Biden met Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, expressing support for Palestinian independence but also saying that conditions are not ripe for re-launching peace talks. — BostonGlobe.com, 16 July 2022 However, Biden admitted that the time was not ripe for peace talks. — Rhoda Kwan, NBC News, 16 July 2022 For July, the footage the Kraffts left as their legacy was ripe for cinematic interpretation. — Carlos Aguilar, Los Angeles Times, 13 July 2022 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'ripe.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Dictionary Entries Near ripe

rip current

ripe

ripe for abuse

Statistics for ripe

Last Updated

7 Aug 2022

Cite this Entry

“Ripe.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ripe. Accessed 13 Aug. 2022.

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More Definitions for ripe

ripe

adjective

\ ˈrīp

riper; ripest

Kids Definition of ripe

1 : fully grown and developed ripe fruit

2 : of advanced years a ripe old age

3 : ready entry 1 sense 1 They were ripe for action.

ripe

adjective

Legal Definition of ripe

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