ripen

[rahy-puh n]

verb (used with or without object)

to make or become ripe.
to bring or come to maturity, the proper condition, etc.; mature.

Origin of ripen

First recorded in 1555–65; ripe + -en¹

Related formsrip·en·er, nounhalf-rip·ened, adjectiveo·ver·rip·en, verbun·der·rip·ened, adjectiveun·rip·ened, adjectiveun·rip·en·ing, adjectivewell-rip·ened, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words for ripening

cultivate, bloom, age, mellow, advance, develop, evolve, perfect, flower, season, fruit, maturate, heighten, grow, improve

Examples from the Web for ripening

Historical Examples of ripening

Keep the borders clear from weeds, and stir the earth about the roots of the trees; this will hasten the ripening of the fruit.
The Cook and Housekeeper's Complete and Universal Dictionary; Including a System of Modern Cookery, in all Its Various Branches,
Mary Eaton
Avenues intersected the great blocks of ripening amber cane.
Captain Blood
Rafael Sabatini
The seasonal sum of heat for ripening is probably 1600 to 2400 units.
Manual of American Grape-Growing
U. P. Hedrick
Other factors, of course, than length of season enter into the ripening of grapes.
Manual of American Grape-Growing
U. P. Hedrick
Unfortunately the fruit is susceptible to black-rot and shrivels after ripening.
Manual of American Grape-Growing
U. P. Hedrick

British Dictionary definitions for ripening

ripen

verb

to make or become ripe

Derived Formsripener, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for ripening

ripen

"to grow ripe," 1560s, from ripe + -en (1). Related: Ripened; ripening. Earlier, the verb was simply ripe, from late Old English ripian, from the adjective.