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

And Sundowners ripen in October/November, which is after summer’s fruit is done, and before winter citrus. —Nan Sterman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Dec. 2025

Together, the fog and wind keep the temperature cool and create grapes that ripen later and grow thicker skins, producing distinctive pinot noirs and chardonnays. —Luis Melecio-Zambrano, Mercury News, 2 Dec. 2025

Once bananas ripen, that starch converts to sugar, reducing those benefits. —Dr. Steven Gundry, CNBC, 21 Nov. 2025

The open wire design helps ripen fruit while the nifty banana hanger keeps them from bruising. —Clint Davis, PEOPLE, 21 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