ripen

1 of 2

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

ripener

2 of 2

noun

rip·​en·​er ˈrīp(ə)nə(r) 

plural -s

: one that ripens

Synonyms of ripen

Verb

• grow
• progress

Examples of ripen in a Sentence

Verb

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

Verb

The wider the space between the stripes, the more likely the watermelon has had enough time to ripen and develop a juicy flavor. — Verywell Health, 25 June 2026

As the berries begin to ripen, cover the pots with netting to keep birds and other animals from stealing your harvest. — Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 23 June 2026

As the climate warms, sites once dismissed as marginal, too cool, too slow to ripen, are now among the most coveted in Italy. — Paul Caputo, Forbes.com, 23 June 2026

Its name comes from the fact that the fruit usually ripens and is ready for picking around this time of year. — Julia Gomez, USA Today, 22 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Verb

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