English · Food & Drink
ripening
/ˈraɪpənɪŋ/
[/ˈraɪpənɪŋ/]
becoming ripe
Intermediateadjective
Definition
In the process of becoming ripe and ready to eat. It describes fruit and grain growing softer, sweeter, or fuller.
Example
The ripening tomatoes turned from green to red.
The ripening tomatoes turned from green to red.
Etymology
Present participle of 'ripen', from Old English 'rīpe'.
How & Where It’s Used
Used for crops and fruit, and figuratively for developing situations.