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ripe
/ɹaɪp/
When talking about fruit, "ripe" is the standard word to describe food that is ready to eat. If a fruit is past this point, we call it "overripe." In a metaphorical sense, when we say a situation is "ripe for" something, it means the timing is perfect or the conditions are exactly right for an event to happen. Be careful with the third meaning: calling someone or something "ripe" regarding a smell is usually a polite or indirect way of saying it stinks. This usage is more informal and often used as a joke or a subtle criticism.
💬Conversación Casual
don't come home yet. your gym bag is smelling ripe.
stfu and just throw it in the wash for me pls
Meanings
Developed to the point of readiness for harvesting or eating.
"The peaches are finally ripe and juicy."
Fully prepared or ready for a particular purpose or action.
"The political climate is ripe for a major change in leadership."
Having a strong, often unpleasant, smell.
"After the long hike, his gym socks were smelling quite ripe."
Examples
These strawberries are perfectly ripe and sweet.
The timing is ripe for us to launch the app!
Ugh, your gym bag smells absolutely ripe, man.
I'll wait until the mangoes are more ripe.
Look, this situation is ripe for a total disaster!
The avocado is finally ripe enough to mash.
God, it's getting ripe in this locker room!
The conditions are ripe for a market crash.
Just pick the ones that look ripe, okay?
Who left this ripe fish on the counter?!