ripe
1 ENTRIES FOUND:
riper;
ripest
riper;
ripest
Britannica Dictionary definition of RIPE
[also more ripe; most ripe]
1
of fruits and vegetables
:
fully grown and developed and ready to be eaten
— sometimes used figuratively
—
opposite unripe
-
a ripe tomato
-
The apples are nearly ripe.
-
the violin's full, ripe sound
-
a story ripe with details [=a story that includes many details]
2
not used before a noun
:
ready or suitable for something
— usually + for
-
The army was ripe for action.
-
a system that is ripe for abuse [=a system that is in such bad condition that it could easily be used wrongly]
-
The time was ripe for proposing his plan.
-
We'll make these changes when the time is ripe.
3
of food and especially cheese
:
brought to full flavor or the best state by being stored for a period of time
4
:
having a strong and unpleasant smell
-
Those old sneakers smell pretty ripe.
ripe old age
:
a very old age
— sometimes used humorously
-
She took up painting at the ripe old age of 85.
-
They both lived to a ripe old age.
-
She decided at the ripe old age of 23 that she'd learned all there was to know about human nature.
— ripeness
noun [noncount]-
Check the ripeness of the fruit before you buy it.
-
the cheese's ripeness
