English · Food & Drink
ripen
/ˈraɪpən/
[/ˈraɪpən/]
become ripe and ready to eat
Intermediateverb
Definition
To become ripe, or to make fruit become ripe and ready to eat. It happens as fruit grows softer and sweeter.
Example
The bananas will ripen on the windowsill.
The bananas will ripen on the windowsill.
Etymology
From 'ripe' (Old English 'rīpe') plus the verb suffix '-en'.
How & Where It’s Used
Used for fruit and figuratively for plans or ideas that develop.