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ripe

adjective
\ ˈrīp How to pronounce ripe (audio) \
riper; ripest

Definition of ripe

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
4a : suitable, appropriate the time was ripe for the attempt
b : fully prepared : ready the colonies were ripe for revolution
5a : brought by aging to full flavor or the best state : mellow ripe cheese
b : smelly, stinking
6 : ruddy, plump, or full like ripened fruit a ripe figure
7 : indecent ripe language
Other Words from ripe Synonyms & Antonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about ripe

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Other Words from ripe

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 Bulldogs boys’ team is ripe with returners from a team that placed third in league in 2018 behind champion Crescenta Valley and runner-up Arcadia. — Jeff Tully, Burbank Leader, "Cross-Country Preview: Burbank looks for repeat league-championship performance," 29 Aug. 2019 Winning in Norman may be a bridge too far, but a Texas team replacing a lot on defense could be ripe for a late-season defeat in Ames. — The Si Staff, SI.com, "Bold Predictions for the 2019 College Football Season," 28 Aug. 2019 The unsanitary conditions have turned it into a veritable petri dish of disease that's ripe for rodent infestation. — Barnini Chakraborty, Fox News, "LA residents fed up with officials, demand change after homeless crisis spirals in city," 20 Aug. 2019 But the proposals floating around Washington would be ripe for abuse. — The Economist, "America considers retaliating against currency manipulation," 27 July 2019 Islands have always been ripe for troublemakers and hijinks — actual pirate captains, not just imaginary ones ideated in suburbia. — Alison Fields, Longreads, "On, In, or Near the Sea: A Book List," 25 July 2019 Talented founder needs skilled mentor and vice versa — might be ripe for a San Diego Venture Group/CONNECT platform to solve. — Neil Senturia, San Diego Union-Tribune, "A look into the mind of the venture capitalist investor," 8 July 2019 More: Pick-your-own strawberries are ripe for harvest in southeast Michigan Contact Susan Selasky: 313-222-6872 or sselasky@freepress.com. — Susan Selasky, Detroit Free Press, "Ann Arbor's Ruth's Chris Steak House: Get a free steak if your name is Chris, Christina," 25 June 2019 Forest management | Justin Maxon / Special To The Chronicle 2018 The White House and California found rare common ground last year, agreeing that the state’s forests are in bad shape and all too ripe for burning. — Kurtis Alexander, San Francisco Chronicle, "Can California avoid a third year of fire catastrophe? Here’s what’s been fixed — and what hasn’t," 20 June 2019

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'ripe.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of ripe

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for ripe

Middle English, from Old English rīpe; akin to Old English rīpan, reopan to reap

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More Definitions for ripe

ripe

adjective
How to pronounce ripe (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of ripe

of fruits and vegetables : fully grown and developed and ready to be eaten
: ready or suitable for something
of food and especially cheese : brought to full flavor or the best state by being stored for a period of time

See the full definition for ripe in the English Language Learners Dictionary

ripe

adjective
\ ˈrīp How to pronounce ripe (audio) \
riper; ripest

Kids Definition of ripe

1 : fully grown and developed ripe fruit
2 : of advanced years a ripe old age
3 : ready entry 1 sense 1 They were ripe for action.

Other Words from ripe

ripeness noun

ripe

adjective

Legal Definition of ripe

1 : of, relating to, or being a claim for relief that is ready for judicial resolution because the injury is certain to occur and is not merely hypothetical or speculative — compare moot
2 : ready and appropriate for disclosure because reasonably determined to be valid and not required to be kept secret for business reasons

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