When fruit ripens, it changes from hard and sour to soft, sweet, and ready to eat. A green banana ripens into a yellow one, and hard green tomatoes ripen into red, juicy ones. This happens naturally as the fruit produces chemicals that change its color, texture, and taste.

The process matters because unripe fruit can taste bitter or make you feel sick, while ripe fruit is delicious and nutritious. Farmers and grocers pay careful attention to ripening, sometimes picking fruit early so it ripens during shipping, or controlling temperature to slow ripening down.

The word also describes people developing skills or ideas over time. A writer's style might ripen as she gains experience, meaning it becomes richer and more sophisticated. When conditions are ripe for something, the timing is perfect: if tensions at recess are ripe for an argument, it means a small disagreement could easily grow into a bigger conflict.

You can also help fruit ripen faster by putting it in a paper bag, which traps the natural ripening gases the fruit produces. This works great for avocados and pears that you want to eat sooner rather than later.