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
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
The sport is ripe for a field-specific circuit, which could tour a series of events around some of the most iconic locations.
—
Liam Tharme, New York Times, 10 Oct. 2025
As in prior moral panics, the technology proved to be an easy and tangible scapegoat, which enabled Americans to avoid grappling with the complex social factors—like deindustrialization, urban decay, and disillusioned suburban children—that led to a combustible situation ripe for tragedy.
—Time, 8 Oct. 2025
However, the capsaicin content of jalapeños begins to fall after day 40, which means that some nearly ripe green peppers may be hotter than fully ripe red ones.
—Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 Oct. 2025
Green bell peppers are the least ripe and have a slightly bitter flavor.
—Chelsea Rae Bourgeois, Health, 8 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ripe
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Liam Tharme, New York Times, 10 Oct. 2025
As in prior moral panics, the technology proved to be an easy and tangible scapegoat, which enabled Americans to avoid grappling with the complex social factors—like deindustrialization, urban decay, and disillusioned suburban children—that led to a combustible situation ripe for tragedy.
—Time, 8 Oct. 2025
However, the capsaicin content of jalapeños begins to fall after day 40, which means that some nearly ripe green peppers may be hotter than fully ripe red ones.
—Lauren Landers, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 Oct. 2025
Green bell peppers are the least ripe and have a slightly bitter flavor.
—Chelsea Rae Bourgeois, Health, 8 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for ripe
Cite this Entry
“Ripe.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ripe. Accessed 18 Oct. 2025.
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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