ripped

Ripped is an adjective derived from the verb rip, meaning torn or shredded. In general use, it denotes something that has been torn or is in pieces. In fashion, clothing described as ripped carries deliberate tears or distressing to create a casual, worn look. In fitness and bodybuilding, "ripped" describes a person with highly defined muscles and low body fat, such that muscle separation and vascularity are visible.

In fitness contexts, the term implies advanced conditioning and a pronounced level of leanness. People may aim to "get ripped" by combining resistance training with a calorie-conscious diet to preserve lean mass while reducing fat. Related terms include "shredded," "cut," and "lean," though nuances exist: "ripped" often emphasizes visible definition, while "shredded" can imply extreme conditioning.

Other uses include "ripped jeans" and other apparel featuring intentional tears as a fashion statement. The phrase "ripped from" appears in media to indicate that text, footage, or content has been copied from an original source, as in "ripped from the headlines" or "ripped from a movie."

Etymology and usage notes: The literal sense comes from the verb rip, meaning to tear apart. The figurative fitness sense—describing someone with low body fat and visible musculature—emerged in modern bodybuilding slang in the late 20th century and remains common in fitness media and social media. Ripped is informal and should be understood within its context as slang rather than a clinical term.