unripe

1 of 2

adjective

un·​ripe ˌən-ˈrīp How to pronounce unripe (audio)
Synonyms of unripenext
1
: not ripe : immature
unripe fruit
2
: not ready : unprepared
unripe plans
unripeness noun

unripeness

2 of 2

noun

un·​ripeness
"+
: the quality or state of being unripe

Synonyms of unripe

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Adjective

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Examples of unripe in a Sentence

Adjective Bananas are green when unripe. unripe and unprepared recruits who were sent into battle as cannon fodder
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adjective
If the watermelon is still unripe, the spot on the rind will be white. — Christine Fiorentino, Better Homes & Gardens, 30 June 2026 Larysa, Oleh, and their cousins would scale apple trees and bite into unripe fruit, hard and green. — Lizzie Johnson, New Yorker, 25 Apr. 2026 Store whole, unripe tomatoes at room temperature in a cool spot away from direct sunlight. — Katie Rosenhouse, Southern Living, 22 May 2026 But the best strawberry metaphor is still the first one, when Hasna can’t figure out whether to pick the unripe ones or leave them behind. — Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 18 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for unripe

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English unripnes, from unripe + -nes -ness

First Known Use

Adjective

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of unripe was in the 13th century

Rhymes for unripe

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Browse Nearby Words

unrip
unripe
unripely
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Cite this Entry

“Unripe.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/unripe. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

unripe

adjective
un·​ripe ˌən-ˈrīp How to pronounce unripe (audio)
ˈən-
: not ripe : immature
unripe fruit

More from Merriam-Webster on unripe

Nglish: Translation of unripe for Spanish Speakers

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