# ripping

/ˈɹɪpɪŋ/ (US) · /ɹˈɪpɪŋ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/ripping
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 2. excellent

adjective · CEFR C1 · British English · Informal · Slang

very good or exciting. You use this in a casual way to show you really like something.

For teachers: an intensifier used to describe something as excellent, splendid, or first-rate. This usage is increasingly dated but persists in certain British and Commonwealth dialects.

- We had a ripping time at the party last night.
- The children returned from the seaside claiming they had enjoyed a ripping adventure in the caves.

Teaching tip: This sense is mostly found in older British literature or used ironically today; modern speakers would prefer 'awesome' or 'great'.

### 3. very fast

adjective · CEFR B2 · Informal

moving with great speed or power.

For teachers: moving or proceeding with great speed, force, or momentum.

- The car went ripping past us on the motorway.
- The boat went ripping through the waves, leaving a massive wake behind it as it headed toward the harbour.

### 4. the act of tearing

noun · CEFR B2

the sound or action of something being torn apart.

For teachers: the action or sound of tearing something apart; functions as a gerund or verbal noun.

- The loud ripping of the fabric made everyone in the room turn around.
- The constant ripping of paper was the only sound heard in the office as they cleared out the old files.

## Examples

- He is ripping the old posters off the wall.
- The tailor is ripping the seams of the jacket to adjust the fit for the customer.
- The storm was so powerful that it began ripping the shingles from the roof, exposing the wooden beams to the torrential rain.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.