What does ripped mean?
Ripped is a highly versatile English word whose basic meaning is torn or split, as when fabric is ripped, a seam is ripped open, or material is ripped apart. Its past-tense and past-participle uses also appear in expressions such as ‘ripped through’ a race or task, suggesting speed and force. In informal North American English, the adjective can mean extremely muscular, often referring to a well-defined physique, and it can also mean very drunk. A related informal use, ‘ripped off,’ means cheated, exploited, or charged unfairly. These meanings have made ‘ripped’ especially memorable in contemporary speech. Although the word can be understood through the familiar image of paper or cloth being torn, its figurative uses show how English often develops vivid new meanings from physical actions. In formal writing, it is safest to use the core sense of torn or split unless a colloquial register is clearly intended.
Torn, split, or otherwise damaged by tearing; also, informally, extremely muscular or very drunk.
"The boxer was known for his ripped physique."
The past tense and past participle of rip: to tear, split, or move forcefully through something; in the phrasal expression ‘rip off,’ to cheat or exploit.
"She ripped the old wrapping paper into strips."
Ripped has an unusually dramatic range: it can describe a shredded piece of paper, a strikingly muscular physique, or someone who has been badly cheated.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does ripped come from?
The word comes from English rip, meaning ‘to tear’ or ‘split,’ a verb attested in Middle English and ultimately related to Old English rípan, ‘tear’ or ‘split.’ The modern adjective and participle forms developed directly from this older verb. English words such as rive, riven, and rift belong to the same broad Germanic family of meanings associated with splitting or tearing. The muscular and intoxicated senses arose later through figurative and slang usage, rather than from a separate etymological root.
How ripped is actually used
The basic sense is standard in formal and informal English. The meanings ‘very muscular’ and ‘extremely drunk’ are informal and especially associated with North American speech, while ‘ripped off’ is common in everyday English and can describe either financial exploitation or, less formally, a person who has been unfairly treated.
Easily confused with ripped
Ripe means ready to be picked or consumed, whereas ripped means torn, split, muscular, drunk, or cheated depending on context.