RIPE

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does ripe mean? 

• RIPE (adjective)
  The adjective RIPE has 5 senses:

1. fully developed or matured and ready to be eaten or used

2. fully prepared or eager

3. most suitable or right for a particular purpose

4. at the highest point of development especially in judgment or knowledge

5. far along in time

  Familiarity information: RIPE used as an adjective is common.

 Dictionary entry details 

• RIPE (adjective)

Comparative: riper   
Superlative: ripest   

Sense 1

Meaning:

Fully developed or matured and ready to be eaten or used

Synonyms:

mature; ripe

Context example:

full-bodied mature wines

Similar:

aged; ripened (of wines, fruit, cheeses; having reached a desired or final condition; ('aged' pronounced as one syllable))

mellow; mellowed (having a full and pleasing flavor through proper aging)

overripe (too ripe and beginning to turn soft)

Antonym:

green (not fully developed or mature; not ripe)

Derivation:

ripeness (the state of being ripe)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Fully prepared or eager

Context example:

the colonists were ripe for revolution

Similar:

ready (completely prepared or in condition for immediate action or use or progress)

Sense 3

Meaning:

Most suitable or right for a particular purpose

Synonyms:

good; right; ripe

Context example:

the time is ripe for great sociological changes

Similar:

opportune (suitable or at a time that is suitable or advantageous especially for a particular purpose)

Sense 4

Meaning:

At the highest point of development especially in judgment or knowledge

Context example:

a ripe mind

Similar:

mature (characteristic of maturity)

Sense 5

Meaning:

Far along in time

Synonyms:

advanced; ripe

Context example:

the ripe age of 90

Similar:

late (being or occurring at an advanced period of time or after a usual or expected time)

 Context examples 

In three days—that is to say, on Monday next—matters will be ripe, and the Professor, with all the principal members of his gang, will be in the hands of the police.

(The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

Ma foi! the riper fruit is ever the sweeter.

(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

These apples were always counted, and about the time when they began to grow ripe it was found that every night one of them was gone.

(Fairy Tales, by The Brothers Grimm)

This pleased Dorothy, who had eaten nothing but nuts all day, and she made a hearty meal of the ripe fruit.

(The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, by L. Frank Baum)

He was flaming from the fresh reading of the ripest thought he had expressed, and her verdict stunned him.

(Martin Eden, by Jack London)

As your ruler Mars gives you your strong competitive spirit and powerful energy, it is clear the golden apple is on the tree, ripe and deliciously ready for you to pluck.

(AstrologyZone.com, by Susan Miller)

The p. macrocarpa produces 3-to-5-inch fruit that are ripe from May through August.

(Thai Elephants Help Spread Jungle Fruit's Seeds, Sadie Witkowski/VOA)

“Madam,” returned Mr. Micawber, “it was the dream of my youth, and the fallacious aspiration of my riper years.”

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

"He might have lived to a ripe old age if he'd stayed at home," Henry agreed.

(White Fang, by Jack London)

I saw ripe bilberries gleaming here and there, like jet beads in the heath: I gathered a handful and ate them with the bread.

(Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Brontë)