Overripe means past the peak of ripeness, when fruit or vegetables have become too soft, mushy, or strong-smelling to be enjoyable. A banana is perfectly ripe when it's yellow with just a few brown spots, but it becomes overripe when the peel turns completely brown and the inside gets mushy and overly sweet. An overripe tomato might split open and feel squishy to the touch.

The process happens because fruits continue to break down after they reach their best eating stage. An overripe peach might taste fermented or unpleasant, and an overripe watermelon becomes grainy instead of crisp. Grocery stores discount overripe produce because most people prefer fruit that's firm and fresh.

Still, overripe fruit isn't necessarily ruined. Overripe bananas make the best banana bread because their extra sweetness and soft texture blend perfectly into the batter. Overripe strawberries work well in smoothies or jam. But there's a limit: eventually overripe becomes rotten, when mold appears or the fruit smells bad.

The word occasionally describes non-food situations. Someone might say an idea or joke is overripe, meaning it's been around so long it's no longer fresh or interesting.