adjective
Common
ripped
rihpt
Ripped (adjective) means Torn or damaged by tearing. Example: “The old book had a ripped cover and several loose pages.”
adjective
1
Torn or damaged by tearing.
"The old book had a ripped cover and several loose pages."
"She sewed up the ripped pocket of her coat."
"He wore a pair of ripped jeans."
2
(informal) Having well-defined, muscular physique.
"Her brother spends every morning at the gym and is now quite ripped."
"The actor got ripped for the part by lifting weights daily."
"After months of training, he looked ripped."
How to use ripped
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTorn, or (informally) very muscular.
When to use it
The "muscular" sense is informal gym slang.
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more ripped
- Superlative
- most ripped
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The old book had a _____ cover and several loose pages.
Related words
Rhymes for ripped
See all rhymes for ripped →Frequently asked questions
What does “ripped” mean?
The word “ripped” means torn or damaged by tearing. In plain terms, torn, or (informally) very muscular.
How do you pronounce “ripped”?
“Ripped” is pronounced rihpt (/ɹɪpt/ in IPA).
How do you use “ripped” in a sentence?
Here is “ripped” used in a sentence: “He wore a pair of ripped jeans.”
What part of speech is “ripped”?
“Ripped” is an adjective.
Is “ripped” a common word?
“Ripped” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “ripped” have?
“Ripped” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: torn or damaged by tearing.
What is the difference between ripped and torn?
Both describe something damaged by tearing, and in most contexts they are interchangeable: ripped jeans and torn jeans mean the same thing. Rip often suggests a quicker, more forceful action, while tear is the slightly more neutral, general word. Only ripped, however, doubles as informal slang for a muscular physique.
Is ripped slang when it describes muscles?
Yes. Describing someone as ripped is informal slang meaning they have a well-defined, muscular physique with visible muscle separation. It is common in fitness and casual conversation but too informal for professional or academic writing, where "muscular" or "well-defined" works better.
What is the difference between ripped and shredded in fitness slang?
Both are informal words for a lean, well-defined, muscular body. Shredded generally implies an even more extreme level of muscle definition and lower body fat than ripped, and it is especially common in bodybuilding circles. Ripped is the more widely understood term outside the gym.
