ripe

ripe — adjective

1. When fruit, vegetables, or grain are fully grown and at the best moment for pick

1.adjectiveA2
Definition

When fruit, vegetables, or grain are fully grown and at the best moment for picking and eating — no more waiting is needed.

Example

Nellie picked a ripe banana from the bunch and peeled it for her little brother.

collocation: ripe + fruit noun (banana/apple/mango)

The tomatoes on the vine are finally ripe, so we can make sauce this weekend.

predicative: be + ripe

Common collocations
  • ripe fruit
  • ripe tomatoes
  • ripe bananas
  • ripe for picking
  • get ripe
  • turn ripe
Synonyms
  • mature

    More formal; also describes people and animals, not just food.

  • ready

    Broader — can mean prepared in any way, not just for eating.

Antonyms
  • unripe

    Direct opposite; not yet ready to eat.

  • green

    Describes fruit that has not ripened, often still hard and sour.

Grammar Patterns

ripe + noun

be + ripe

Usage Note

Most common for fruit and vegetables; can also describe grain, nuts, and seeds. Often paired with colour-change cues (e.g. 'turning yellow') to indicate readiness.

Common Mistakes

The apple is very ripe — it is still hard and green.
The apple is unripe
it is still hard and green.' — 'Ripe' means ready to eat; 'unripe' is the opposite.

2. When cheese or other foods that are left to age develop a noticeably strong, ful

2.adjectiveB1
Definition

When cheese or other foods that are left to age develop a noticeably strong, full taste because the natural process has run for a long time.

Example

Ritu served a plate of ripe Camembert with crackers at the party.

attributive: ripe + cheese name

This brie is not ripe enough — it still feels hard in the middle.

predicative with degree: not ripe enough

Common collocations
  • ripe cheese
  • ripe Camembert
  • ripe brie
  • ripe and runny
  • rich and ripe
Synonyms
  • mature

    More common than 'ripe' for cheddar and gouda in commercial labelling.

  • aged

    Describes the process rather than the resulting flavour.

  • strong

    Focuses on intensity of taste rather than readiness.

Antonyms
  • mild

    Describes young cheese with a gentle flavour.

  • fresh

    Opposite of aged; has not undergone the aging process.

Grammar Patterns

ripe + cheese/food noun

be + ripe

Usage Note

Primarily describes cheese, but can extend to fermented foods like kimchi or cured meats. 'Ripe' here often pairs with pungent or earthy descriptions.

3. Having a very strong, often unpleasant odour — usually so intense that it draws

3.adjectiveB2
Definition

Having a very strong, often unpleasant odour — usually so intense that it draws attention the moment you step into the room or space.

Example

The air in the changing room was ripe with the smell of sweat after the match.

predicative: ripe with + smell noun

A ripe odour of rotting fish came from the bin behind the restaurant.

attributive: ripe odour of + noun

Common collocations
  • ripe smell
  • ripe odour
  • ripe with
  • air is ripe
Synonyms
  • pungent

    Neutral — can be pleasant or unpleasant; sharper quality.

  • rank

    Stronger negative connotation; suggests disgust.

  • stinking

    More direct and informal; implies active rotting.

Antonyms
  • fresh

    Clean, pleasant smell.

  • faint

    Weak, barely noticeable odour.

Grammar Patterns

ripe + smell/scent noun

be + ripe

Usage Note

Almost always negative — a 'ripe smell' is never pleasant. Use 'pungent' or 'strong' for neutral descriptions. Frequently used with 'with': 'ripe with the smell of...'

4. Language, jokes, or humour that contain sexual content or are deliberately indec

4.adjectiveB2
Definition

Language, jokes, or humour that contain sexual content or are deliberately indecent, often meant to shock or amuse adults.

Example

The comedian's ripe humour made some people in the front row blush.

attributive: ripe + humour noun

Wei told a ripe joke at dinner, and his grandmother pretended not to understand.

attributive: ripe + joke noun

Common collocations
  • ripe humour
  • ripe joke
  • ripe language
  • ripe comedy
Synonyms
  • raunchy

    More common in American English; focuses on sexual content.

  • blue

    Euphemistic; 'blue jokes' cover the same territory.

  • bawdy

    Old-fashioned; describes humour that is humorously indecent.

Antonyms

Grammar Patterns

ripe + humour/language/joke noun

Usage Note

Chiefly British. In American English, 'raunchy' or 'blue' (as in 'blue humour') are more common. Not used for general swear words — 'ripe' implies playful or witty indecency, not just profanity.

Common Mistakes

He used ripe words when he lost his temper.
He used foul language when he lost his temper.
'Ripe' is not used for angry swearing; it describes intentionally naughty or sexual jokes and stories.

5. In a state where conditions are exactly right for some event to take place, espe

5.adjectiveB2
Definition

In a state where conditions are exactly right for some event to take place, especially at a moment that has been eagerly awaited.

Example

The country is ripe for change after years of economic trouble.

be + ripe + for + noun

Sari decided the moment was ripe to ask her boss for a promotion.

the moment is + ripe + to-infinitive

Common collocations
  • ripe for change
  • ripe for reform
  • time is ripe
  • ripe for development
Synonyms
  • ready

    More general; does not carry the same sense of an anticipated perfect moment.

  • favourable

    More formal; describes conditions rather than timing.

Antonyms

Grammar Patterns

be + ripe + for + noun/gerund

be + ripe + to-infinitive

time is + ripe + for

Usage Note

Always predicative (NOT 'a ripe opportunity' in this sense — 'a ripe opportunity' would mean the opportunity itself is ready, which is rare; instead 'the time is ripe'). The most common nouns after 'for' are change, reform, development, investment, picking, exploitation.

Common Mistakes

This is a ripe time to start the project.
The time is ripe to start the project.
'Ripe' in this sense is almost always used predicatively with 'the time' or 'conditions' as the subject.

6. Describing a person who has lived to a very great age, especially one that is no

6.adjectiveC1
Definition

Describing a person who has lived to a very great age, especially one that is notably advanced compared to the typical lifespan.

Example

Mateo's grandmother passed away at the ripe old age of ninety-seven.

collocation: ripe old age of + number

The village celebrated Hamza reaching a ripe old age with a big feast.

collocation: ripe old age (without number)

Common collocations
  • ripe old age
  • ripe years
  • ripe age of
Synonyms
  • advanced

    Neutral; can apply to years ('advanced years') without the admiring tone.

  • venerable

    Carries a sense of respect for age and wisdom.

Antonyms
  • young

    Opposite end of the age scale.

  • tender

    Used for young age, especially in 'tender age' contrasts.

Grammar Patterns

ripe + old age

ripe age of + number

Usage Note

Almost always appears in the set phrase 'ripe old age' (often preceded by 'at the' + 'of'). Rarely used outside this collocation. The tone is usually admiring or affectionate, not clinical.

Common Mistakes

She is ripe at 85.
She lived to the ripe old age of 85.
'Ripe' alone cannot describe a person; it must be part of the fixed phrase 'ripe old age'.

7. Having reached a high level of mental development, so that a person's understand

7.adjectiveC1
Definition

Having reached a high level of mental development, so that a person's understanding, knowledge, or ability to make good decisions is fully formed.

Example

After years of travelling, Eshe had gained a ripe wisdom that her younger friends admired.

attributive: ripe + wisdom noun

The council valued his ripe judgment on difficult community matters.

attributive: ripe + judgment noun

Common collocations
  • ripe wisdom
  • ripe judgment
  • ripe understanding
  • ripe experience
Synonyms
  • mature

    More common and natural in modern English for describing judgment or wisdom.

  • seasoned

    Focuses on experience gained over time, especially in a profession.

Antonyms
  • immature

    Lacking the development of good judgment.

  • raw

    New and inexperienced; the opposite of seasoned.

Grammar Patterns

ripe + wisdom/judgment/experience noun

Usage Note

Less common than 'mature' for this meaning; 'ripe' adds a slightly literary or biblical tone ('ripe in years and wisdom'). Typically modifies abstract nouns: wisdom, judgment, understanding, experience.

Idioms

the time is ripe

idiom

The best or most suitable moment has come for a particular action to be taken.

The time is ripe for the company to launch its new product in Asia.

Aaron felt the time was ripe to tell his family about his plans to study abroad.

ripe old age

idiom

A very advanced and impressive age that someone has lived to reach.

The community gathered to celebrate Sivan's grandmother, who lived to a ripe old age of ninety-nine.

Both of his great-aunts passed away at a ripe old age, surrounded by family.

ripe for the picking

idiom

In a position where someone can easily take advantage of it.

The company's weak security is ripe for the picking.

Is this market really ripe for the picking?

a/the ripe old age (of…)

idiom

A very advanced age, often used to express admiration.

Grandma celebrated her ripe old age of 95.

He reached the ripe old age of 102.