ripe
ryp
Ripe (adjective) means Fully grown and ready to eat, as fruit or grain. Example: “These bananas are perfectly ripe.”
adjective
1
Fully grown and ready to eat, as fruit or grain.
"These bananas are perfectly ripe."
"The wheat fields were ripe for harvest."
"Wait until the mangoes are ripe before you cut them open."
2
Ready or suitable for something, especially at the right moment.
"The market was ripe for a new competitor."
"Conditions were ripe for a great discovery after months of careful preparation."
"The time was ripe for the team to ask for more funding."
How to use ripe
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishFully developed and ready — used for fruit, and figuratively for a good moment or opportunity.
Common pairings
ripe for the picking
ripe old age
ripe fruit
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Word forms
- Plural
- ripes
- Third person singular
- ripes
- Past tense
- riped
- Comparative
- riper
- Superlative
- ripest
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
These bananas are perfectly _____.
Etymology
From Old English rīpe, "ripe or mature," related to the verb "reap."
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for ripe
See all rhymes for 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.
