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.
a system that was ripe for abuse
specifically, of a legal action
: ready for judicial resolution because the injury is certain and not hypothetical
5
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
On the palate, Fusion is rich and layered, with sweet barley sugar and ripe mango giving way to cocoa, coffee, and a measured yet persistent peat smoke.
—
Joseph V Micallef, Forbes.com, 26 May 2026
Not only is Earth's celestial neighbor a pristine time capsule ripe for study – preserved almost unaltered throughout the course of billions of years – but the moon is viewed as a stepping stone for human exploration deeper into space.
—Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 26 May 2026
Low humidity is ideal for fruits that release ethylene gas, like apples, avocados and ripe stone fruit.
—Jeff Wagner, CBS News, 26 May 2026
This popular method involves tapping the watermelon lightly; a ripe one will produce a deep, hollow sound.
—Aksha Mittapalli, Better Homes & Gardens, 24 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for ripe
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Joseph V Micallef, Forbes.com, 26 May 2026
Not only is Earth's celestial neighbor a pristine time capsule ripe for study – preserved almost unaltered throughout the course of billions of years – but the moon is viewed as a stepping stone for human exploration deeper into space.
—Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 26 May 2026
Low humidity is ideal for fruits that release ethylene gas, like apples, avocados and ripe stone fruit.
—Jeff Wagner, CBS News, 26 May 2026
This popular method involves tapping the watermelon lightly; a ripe one will produce a deep, hollow sound.
—Aksha Mittapalli, Better Homes & Gardens, 24 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for ripe
Cite this Entry
“Ripe.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ripe. Accessed 28 May. 2026.
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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