ripe

ripe
ripe /raɪp/ adjective (comparative riper, superlative ripest)1. ripe fruit or crops are fully grown and ready to eat
   OPP  unripe:
    Those tomatoes aren’t ripe yet.
2. be ripe for something to be ready for a change to happen, especially when it should have happened sooner:
    The police forces are ripe for reform.
    The former dock area is ripe for development.
3. the time is ripe (for something) used to say it is a very suitable time for something to happen, especially when it should have happened sooner:
    The time is ripe for a review of progress up to now.
4. ripe old age
  a. if you live to a ripe old age, you are very old when you die:
    Eat less and exercise more if you want to live to a ripe old age.
  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:
    She was put in charge at the ripe old age of twenty-nine.
5. ripe cheese has developed a strong taste and is ready to eat
   SYN  mature
6. especially British English a ripe smell is strong and unpleasant – used humorously:
    We were pretty ripe after a week of walking.
—ripeness noun [uncountable]
     

THESAURUS

   ▪ ready [not before noun] having done everything that needs to be done in order to prepare for something: Are you ready? The taxi’s here. | I don’t feel that I’m ready for the test yet.
   ▪ prepared [not before noun] ready to deal with a situation, because you are expecting it or have made careful preparations: The police were prepared for trouble. | The team looked well-prepared for the game.
   ▪ be all set to be ready to start doing something that you have planned to do, and be just about to do it: We were all set for a barbecue when it started to rain.
   ▪ be good to go American English informal be ready to start doing something after completing all the necessary preparations: We just need to get you a pair of skis and you’re good to go.
   ▪ ripe ripe fruit are soft, sweet, and ready to eat: Don’t pick the apples until they’re really ripe. | a delicious ripe plum
   ▪ be in place if the arrangements or the equipment for doing something are in place, they are ready to start being used: The television cameras were in place for the wedding. | All the arrangements are in place for a new constitution and democratic elections.
   ▪ be standing by if people are standing by, they are ready to take action and help if they are needed – used especially about medical teams, police, the army etc: Officers in full riot gear were standing by outside the police station. | Several ambulances were standing by.