ripen — to become or make ripe, mature, or ready
Part of speech: VERB
Definition: to become or make ripe, mature, or ready
Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈraɪpən/
Example Sentences
- My boss said I need more experience before I ripen into management material.
- These tomatoes will ripen faster if you put them in a paper bag.
- His ideas about starting a business are finally beginning to ripen.
ripen
VERB[/ˈraɪpən/]
to become or make ripe, mature, or ready

The peaches on the sunny tree slowly ripen into a deep golden orange.

Don't let shadows frighten - let sunrise brighten and ripen!
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🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
From Old English 'ripan' meaning to reap or harvest, related to Proto-Germanic roots. The sense evolved from 'ready to harvest' to 'mature' and eventually to the modern meaning of becoming ready or mature.
Breakdown
ripe (adjective: mature, ready) + -en (verb suffix making causative or inchoative verbs) = ripen (to make or become ripe)
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“My boss said I need more experience before I ripen into management material.”
“These tomatoes will ripen faster if you put them in a paper bag.”
“His ideas about starting a business are finally beginning to ripen.”
“The wine needs to ripen in the cellar for at least ten years, just like my cooking skills.”
📚Related Words
Synonyms
Antonyms
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