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

This diurnal shift ripens Lodi’s produce and punches up its flavor. —Ligaya Malones, Travel + Leisure, 2 June 2026

Microwaving an avocado doesn't actually ripen it. —Olivia McIntosh, Martha Stewart, 2 June 2026

Indulge in the iconic food and drink Believed to have been enjoyed since the early days of Wimbledon in the late 1800s, strawberries and cream has become synonymous with the British tournament, originally introduced because the fruit ripened in the summer months, perfectly timed to the Grand Slam. —Rachel Chang, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 June 2026

This is because June is when strawberries ripen and are ready to be picked. —Julia Gomez, USA Today, 1 June 2026

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