ripe
ripe — adjective
1. When fruit, vegetables, or grain are fully grown and at the best moment for pick
When fruit, vegetables, or grain are fully grown and at the best moment for picking and eating — no more waiting is needed.
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
Farmers know when the wheat is ripe by checking the colour of the heads.
Pim checked the mango by pressing it gently to see if it was ripe enough to eat.
文法句型
ripe + noun
be + ripe
用法筆記
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.
常見錯誤
2. When cheese or other foods that are left to age develop a noticeably strong, ful
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.
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
The smell of ripe Stilton filled the whole kitchen as Henrik opened the box.
Amira bought a wedge of ripe gouda from the market and served it with honey.
文法句型
ripe + cheese/food noun
be + ripe
用法筆記
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
Having a very strong, often unpleasant odour — usually so intense that it draws attention the moment you step into the room or space.
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
Chidi opened his gym bag and a ripe smell hit him right away.
Erik could not stay in the locker room because the ripe smell made him feel sick.
文法句型
ripe + smell/scent noun
be + ripe
用法筆記
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
Language, jokes, or humour that contain sexual content or are deliberately indecent, often meant to shock or amuse adults.
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
The film was full of ripe language that parents might find unsuitable for young children.
Madison stopped watching the show because the ripe humour spoiled her enjoyment.
文法句型
ripe + humour/language/joke noun
用法筆記
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.
常見錯誤
5. In a state where conditions are exactly right for some event to take place, espe
In a state where conditions are exactly right for some event to take place, especially at a moment that has been eagerly awaited.
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
The technology is now ripe for use in schools across the region.
Andrés believes the housing market is ripe for foreign investment next year.
- ready
More general; does not carry the same sense of an anticipated perfect moment.
- favourable
More formal; describes conditions rather than timing.
- unfavourable
Conditions are not right.
- inopportune
Bad timing for the action.
文法句型
be + ripe + for + noun/gerund
be + ripe + to-infinitive
time is + ripe + for
用法筆記
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.
常見錯誤
6. Describing a person who has lived to a very great age, especially one that is no
Describing a person who has lived to a very great age, especially one that is notably advanced compared to the typical lifespan.
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)
The professor gave lectures well into his ripe years, never showing signs of slowing down.
Jiwoo's great-uncle died at a ripe old age, leaving behind sixteen grandchildren.
文法句型
ripe + old age
ripe age of + number
用法筆記
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.
常見錯誤
7. Having reached a high level of mental development, so that a person's understand
Having reached a high level of mental development, so that a person's understanding, knowledge, or ability to make good decisions is fully formed.
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
Lauren's understanding of human nature grew ripe only after she raised three children of her own.
Noa showed ripe judgment when she decided to wait before buying the house.
文法句型
ripe + wisdom/judgment/experience noun
用法筆記
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.