riper; ripest
1
: fully grown and developed : mature
ripe fruit
ripe wheat
2
: having mature knowledge, understanding, or judgment
3
: of advanced years : late
a ripe old age
4
a
: suitable, appropriate
the time was ripe for the attempt
b
: fully prepared : ready
the colonies were ripe for revolution
6
: ruddy, plump, or full like ripened fruit
a ripe figure
7
: indecent
ripe language
ripely
adverb
ripeness
noun
Synonyms
Examples of ripe in a Sentence
The apples are nearly ripe.
the clothes of the field hands were sweaty and ripe after a hard day's work
Recent Examples on the Web
On occasion, a watermelon gets harvested slightly too early so a dash of cane sugar is added to mimic a perfectly ripe one.
—
Andrew Watman, Forbes, 21 Nov. 2024
The proposal, unprecedented in scope, focuses on areas ripe for reform, according to Musk and biotech entrepreneur Ramaswamy.
—Christiaan Hetzner, Fortune, 21 Nov. 2024
Bananas have a pH level of around 5 to 5.3 when ripe.
—Angelica Bottaro, Verywell Health, 4 Nov. 2024
To make this snack, cut two ripe bananas into one-quarter of an inch thick discs.
—Jillian Kubala, Health, 4 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for ripe 
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Andrew Watman, Forbes, 21 Nov. 2024
The proposal, unprecedented in scope, focuses on areas ripe for reform, according to Musk and biotech entrepreneur Ramaswamy.
—Christiaan Hetzner, Fortune, 21 Nov. 2024
Bananas have a pH level of around 5 to 5.3 when ripe.
—Angelica Bottaro, Verywell Health, 4 Nov. 2024
To make this snack, cut two ripe bananas into one-quarter of an inch thick discs.
—Jillian Kubala, Health, 4 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for ripe
Articles Related to ripe
Dictionary Entries Near ripe
Cite this Entry
“Ripe.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ripe. Accessed 29 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
ripe
adjective
riper; ripest
1
: fully grown and developed
a ripe tomato
2
: having mature knowledge, understanding, or judgment
3
: ready entry 1 sense 1
ripe for action
4
: brought to just the right state
ripely
adverb
ripeness
noun
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