ripen
verb (used with or without object)
to make or become ripe.
was ripening
-
past progressiveof ripen.past progressive
Used to describe an ongoing action or continuous state that was happening at a specific time in the past.
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.
Much of the fruit was ripening just as temperatures soared in late June, and about 20% of the crop was lost.
From Seattle Times ● Oct. 18, 2021
Beyond the corn, a new crop of tomatoes was ripening; the cattle were fattening nicely; the flower garden was a colorplate right out of Burpee's seed catalogue.
From Time Magazine Archive
Last week the soup-tomato crop was ripening right on time, as the scientists intended, but for once its punctuality was a disaster.
From Time Magazine Archive
When the game was ripening to high stakes one of the so dapper gentlemen approached the Earl of Birkenhead.
From Time Magazine Archive
The corn was ripening into roasting ears now, and the coons would come at night and strip the shucks back with their little hands, and gnaw the milky kernels off the cob.
From "Old Yeller" by Fred Gipson
