ripe
adjective
having arrived at such a stage of growth or development as to be ready for reaping, gathering, eating, or use, as grain or fruit; completely matured.
riper
-
comparativeof ripe.comparative
The form of an adjective or adverb indicating a greater degree of a quality.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
I spotted a box on the ground with rejected fruit, a little riper or blemished.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 2, 2026
It is still unknown whether chimpanzees deliberately choose fruits with higher ethanol levels, which tend to be riper and richer in sugar that can ferment.
From Science Daily ● Dec. 1, 2025
In other words, apple growers and supermarkets began selling redder apples to convince consumers that redder meant riper and also, better.
From Salon ● Sep. 4, 2023
With this technique, grapes are picked riper with the intent of making red wine and some juice is drained off shortly after pressing to concentrate the color, extract and tannins in the remaining wine.
From Washington Post ● Jul. 28, 2022
He was preceded by his stench, riper than the cheese and overpowering in the closed space.
From "A Game of Thrones" by George R.R. Martin
