ripe
5 synonyms and 1 antonyms for ripe, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adjective — Fully grown and ready to eat, as fruit or grain.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
How to use ripe
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Old English rīpe, "ripe or mature," related to the verb "reap."
Full origin of ripe →Frequently asked questions
What does “ripe” mean?
The word “ripe” means fully grown and ready to eat, as fruit or grain. In plain terms, fully developed and ready — used for fruit, and figuratively for a good moment or opportunity.
How do you pronounce “ripe”?
“Ripe” is pronounced ryp (/ɹaɪp/ in IPA).
How do you use “ripe” in a sentence?
Here is “ripe” used in a sentence: “These bananas are perfectly ripe.”
What is the opposite of “ripe”?
The opposite of “ripe” — its antonyms — is unripe.
What part of speech is “ripe”?
“Ripe” is an adjective.
Where does the word “ripe” come from?
The word “ripe” comes from Old English. From Old English rīpe, "ripe or mature," related to the verb "reap.".
Is “ripe” a common word?
“Ripe” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “ripe” have?
“Ripe” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: fully grown and ready to eat, as fruit or grain.
What is the difference between "ripe" and "ready"?
"Ripe" specifically describes fruit or grain that has fully grown and developed to the point of being edible, or figuratively a moment that is suitable for something to happen. "Ready" is more general and can apply to almost anything prepared for use, not just produce or timing.
What does it mean when a situation is described as "ripe for" something?
This uses the figurative sense of "ripe," meaning the conditions are especially favorable or suitable for a particular outcome to occur, as in "the market is ripe for change." It suggests the timing is ideal, much like fruit reaching the right moment to be picked.
What is the difference between "ripe" and "overripe"?
"Ripe" describes fruit or grain that has reached the ideal stage of readiness for eating. "Overripe" describes fruit that has passed that peak point and begun to spoil or soften excessively.