Ripen: meaning, definitions and examples
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ripen
[ˈraɪpən ]
Definitions
fruit
To become fully matured or developed. When a fruit ripens, it reaches its peak of sweetness and is ready to be eaten.
Synonyms
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| ripen |
Use when talking about the process of becoming ready to eat or fully grown, often for fruits and vegetables.
|
| mature |
Use when discussing the process of becoming fully grown or emotionally and mentally advanced, often for people or situations. It can also apply to investments or financial terms.
|
| develop |
Use when talking about the process of growing, changing, or becoming stronger or more advanced in various contexts such as skills, projects, or ideas.
|
| ripened |
Describes something that has already undergone the process of ripening, usually used with fruits or vegetables.
|
Examples of usage
- The bananas ripened quickly in the warm sun.
- This avocado needs a few more days to ripen properly.
time
To reach the desired stage. When something, such as a plan or a project, ripens, it means it has reached the perfect time for implementation.
Synonyms
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| ripen |
Used to describe the process of fruits or vegetables becoming ready to eat. It can also be metaphorically used for ideas or plans becoming fully formed.
|
| mature |
Typically used to describe the process of becoming fully grown or developed, often applied to people, wines, investments, or ideas. It can also reflect emotional and mental growth.
|
| develop |
Used when talking about the process of growth or change in a wide range of contexts, including projects, skills, diseases, or physical and intellectual growth.
|
| ripened |
The past tense of 'ripen', used to describe fruits or vegetables that have already become ready to eat. It can also be used metaphorically for ideas or plans that have fully formed.
|
Examples of usage
- After months of preparation, the project finally ripened and was ready to launch.
- Her idea needed time to ripen before it could be presented to the team.
Interesting Facts
Etymology
- The word comes from the Old English 'ripian', which means 'to reap or harvest'—suggesting a connection to readiness.
- Related words in other languages, like 'doux' in French, meaning sweet, show how ripeness is linked to taste across cultures.
Science
- Ripening involves chemical changes, such as the production of ethylene gas, which signals fruits to start the ripening process.
- Many fruits change color as they ripen, indicating they’ve developed sugars that make them sweet and appealing.
Cultural Significance
- In agriculture, the timing of ripening is crucial for harvest, affecting food supply and market prices.
- Certain festivals and traditions celebrate the ripening of crops, symbolizing abundance, such as the Harvest Festival in the fall.
Literature
- The concept of ripening is often used metaphorically in literature to describe personal growth or the maturation of ideas and themes.
- Writers use ripening as a symbol for relationships developing and deepening over time, much like fruit on a vine.
Art
- Still life paintings often depict ripe fruits to showcase abundance and the beauty of nature’s offerings.
- In classical art, ripe fruits symbolize prosperity and the fleeting nature of life, reminding viewers to appreciate the now.
Translations
Translations of the word "ripen" in other languages:
🇵🇹 amadurecer
🇮🇳 पकना
🇩🇪 reifen
🇮🇩 matang
🇺🇦 дозрівати
🇵🇱 dojrzewać
🇯🇵 熟す (じゅくす)
🇫🇷 mûrir
🇪🇸 madurar
🇹🇷 olgunlaşmak
🇰🇷 익다
🇸🇦 ينضج
🇨🇿 dozrát
🇸🇰 dozrievať
🇨🇳 成熟 (chéngshú)
🇸🇮 dozoreti
🇮🇸 þroskast
🇰🇿 пісіп-жетілу
🇬🇪 დამწიფება
🇦🇿 yetişmək
🇲🇽 madurar