ripen

verb

rip·​en ˈrī-pən 

ˈrī-pᵊm

ripened; ripening ˈrī-pə-niŋ 

ˈrīp-niŋ

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

ripener

ˈrī-pə-nər 

ˈrīp-nər

noun

Synonyms

• 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

Berries are ripening, seeds are bursting, and insect populations are at their peak. —Brandee Gruener, Southern Living, 15 Oct. 2025

Big producers use storage rooms that control temperature, oxygen and carbon dioxide so consumers can have an apple any time of the year, but Angle Orchard’s apples are picked weeks or even months before Thanksgiving and ripen fast (unless they are made into cider, applesauce or a frozen pie). —Shaun McKinnon, AZCentral.com, 14 Oct. 2025

Refrigerating bananas slows ripening and reduces sugar spikes. —Christopher Bergland, Verywell Health, 14 Oct. 2025

However, the capsaicin content of peppers doesn’t increase at a steady rate during the pepper-ripening process. —Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 Oct. 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