Definition

Not fully developed or matured; still in an early stage of growth.

Example

The unripened fruit is too sour to eat.

Conversation

Have you tried that new fruit shop downtown?

Not yet, but I heard they have some unripened options.

Yeah, I saw some bananas there that looked really unripened.

I guess we can wait a few days for them to get ripe.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Unripened → It is formed from "un-" (meaning not) and "ripen" (from Old English "ripian", meaning to become ripe). The word "unripened" means not yet ripe or not having reached maturity.

Memory Tip

Think of something that is 'not' ('un-') 'ripe' — that's why unripened means it hasn't matured yet.

Visually Confused Words