ripe /raɪp/ ●●○ adjectiveadj (comparativecomp riper, superlativesupl ripest) 2 be ripe for something READYto be ready for a change to happen, especially when it should have happened sooner 适宜做某事,做某事条件成熟 The police forces are ripe for reform. 改革警察队伍的时机已经成熟。
The former dock area is ripe for development. 这片昔日的码头区可以开发了。
3 the time is ripe (for something) SUITABLEused to say it is a very suitable time for something to happen, especially when it should have happened sooner (某事的)时机已经成熟 The time is ripe for a review of progress up to now. 是时候回顾一下目前为止所取得的进展了。
4 ripe old age OLD/NOT YOUNG a) if you live to a ripe old age, you are very old when you die 很大年纪 Eat less and exercise more if you want to live to a ripe old age. 想长寿就少吃多锻炼。
b) used to show that you find it surprising or impressive that someone is doing something or has achieved something at a very young age – used humorously 年纪很小〔用于表示对某人很年轻便做或做到某事感到意外或惊叹,幽默用法〕 She was put in charge at the ripe old age of twenty-nine. 她年纪轻轻,29岁就当上了主管。
5. CTDFripe cheese has developed a strong taste and is ready to eat 〔干酪〕熟透的 SYN mature 6 especially British EnglishBrE a ripe smell is strong and unpleasant – used humorously 臭气熏天的,浓烈难闻的〔幽默用法〕 We were pretty ripe after a week of walking. 我们走了一个星期的路,身上都臭死了。
—ripeness noun [uncountableU]