Unripe Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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unripe

[สŒnหˆraษชp ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Adjective

fruit

Not fully mature or developed; not yet ready to be eaten.

Synonyms

green, immature, unripened.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
unripe

Typically used to describe fruits or vegetables that have not reached full maturity and are not ready to eat.

  • The bananas are still unripe and taste very starchy.
  • She prefers not to use unripe tomatoes for the salad.
immature

Often used to describe people who show a lack of maturity in behavior or actions, can also apply to things not fully developed. It carries a negative connotation when referring to people.

  • His jokes are really immature for his age.
  • The technology is still immature and not suitable for mass production.
green

Commonly used for fruits and vegetables that are not mature but can also refer to inexperienced people or environmentally friendly practices.

  • The apples are still green and sour.
  • As a new employee, he is still very green and has a lot to learn.
  • They implemented a green initiative to reduce waste.
unripened

Similar to 'unripe,' specifically focuses on fruits or vegetables that have not reached the peak of ripeness.

  • The unripened grapes were too tart to eat.
  • This recipe doesn't work well with unripened avocados.

Examples of usage

  • The unripe bananas were still green and hard.
  • She picked the unripe apples from the tree.
Context #2 | Adjective

person

Lacking experience or maturity; not fully developed.

Synonyms

immature, inexperienced, unseasoned.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
unripe

Used to describe fruit or vegetables that are not fully developed or ready to be eaten.

  • The banana is still unripe and too hard to eat
  • The unripe tomatoes need more time to turn red
inexperienced

Used to describe someone who lacks experience or knowledge in a specific field or activity.

  • The new intern is inexperienced in handling client calls
  • Although he is talented, he is still inexperienced in project management
immature

Typically used when referring to people or their behavior, indicating a lack of emotional or mental development; often carries a negative connotation.

  • His immature behavior at the meeting was embarrassing
  • She is too immature to handle such responsibilities
unseasoned

Useful for describing someone or something that lacks seasoning or preparation, often used in culinary contexts or to refer to someone without much experience in a specific area.

  • The unseasoned chicken tasted bland
  • As an unseasoned sailor, he found the sea voyage quite challenging

Examples of usage

  • He was unripe for such a responsible position.
  • The young actor was considered unripe for the lead role.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Botany

  • Fruits and vegetables go through stages, and 'unripe' means they haven't reached full sweetness or flavor yet.
  • Some foods, like bananas, change color from green to yellow as they ripen, making it easy to tell when they're ready.
  • Ripeness is often related to the balance of sugars and acids in the fruit, which change as it matures.

Culinary Arts

  • Cooking with unripe fruits can give dishes a tart flavor, such as using green tomatoes in salsa.
  • Certain fruits, like avocados and peaches, are sometimes harvested unripe to prevent bruising during transport.
  • Unripe ingredients can be beneficial for pickling or fermenting, as they have more firmness and lower sugar content.

Cultural Practices

  • In some cultures, unripe fruits are celebrated in traditional dishes, like green mango salad in Southeast Asia.
  • The balance of ripe and unripe produce is often visible in markets around the world, reflecting seasonal eating habits.
  • Many regions have specific festivals that celebrate harvests where unripe fruits play a significant role in the cuisine.

Science

  • Ethylene gas is a natural hormone that affects ripening; unripe fruits often produce less of it until they start to mature.
  • The process of ripening involves complex biochemical changes, including the breakdown of starches into sugars.
  • Unripe produce tends to have higher levels of certain nutrients compared to their ripened counterparts, making them sometimes more nutritious.

Psychology

  • Perceptions of ripeness can influence consumer preferences, as many people prefer sweeter, more colorful items.
  • Cognitive biases may lead individuals to reject unripe options, focusing only on what looks ready at first glance.
  • Cultural conditioning around food ripeness affects how we enjoy and interact with various culinary items.

Origin of 'unripe'

The word 'unripe' originated from the combination of the prefix 'un-' meaning 'not' and the word 'ripe' meaning 'fully matured'. The concept of ripeness has been associated with agriculture and food since ancient times, with people learning to distinguish between ripe and unripe fruits and vegetables for consumption.


See also: ripe, ripen, ripened, ripeness, ripening, unripeness.

Word Frequency Rank

At rank #25,150, this word represents specialized academic or technical vocabulary. It's less frequently encountered but may be valuable in specific contexts.