ripen (B2)

verb

Pronunciation: /ˈraɪpən/

Definition

Become fully grown or developed to the point of being ready for harvesting or consumption.

Examples

• The warm summer sun helped the tomatoes ripen on the vine.

• Bananas will ripen faster if you keep them in a paper bag.

• We waited for the pears to ripen before making the tart.

How to Use ripen

ripen on the vine (collocation)

to mature while still attached to the plant — "Grapes that ripen on the vine develop a much deeper flavor."

ripen into (prepositional phrase)

to change state or develop into a new form — "The small project began to ripen into a full-scale business venture."

Synonyms of ripen

Words with a similar meaning to ripen:

• mature
• mellow

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