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ripen

From Wiktionary

Word parts

[change]

ripe + -en

Pronunciation

[change]

Verb

[change]

Plain form
ripen

Third-person singular
ripens

Past tense
ripened

Past participle
ripened

Present participle
ripening

  1. (transitive & intransitive) When a fruit or grain ripens, it becomes softer, sweeter, and ready to eat.
    As the summer ends, the grapes ripen to a perfect sweetness, ideal for picking.
    Pears, unlike apples, don't taste as good if allowed to ripen on the tree.
    The farmer uses a special gas to ripen the bananas quickly before they go to market.
  2. (transitive & intransitive) When a cheese ripens, it ages under controlled conditions and slowly develops its flavor, texture, and smell.
    This type of cheddar ripens best in a cool, dark room.
    The cheesemaker carefully controls the temperature and humidity to ripen the brie.