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

In a warmer region, for example, these trees can ripen year-round. —Helena Madden, Martha Stewart, 6 Jan. 2026

Exposure to direct sunlight or high temperatures can cause squash to ripen too quickly, shortening its shelf life. —Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 4 Jan. 2026

As bananas ripen, their fructose, glucose, and total sugar content increases, which increases blood sugar levels. —Merve Ceylan, Health, 29 Dec. 2025

Series were allowed to ripen, develop audiences, find their footing: famously The Office softened up many episodes in, while Mad Men went the other way, going from jazzy period diversion to existentially profound character study. —Taylor Antrim, Vogue, 23 Dec. 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