- to make or become soft or softer
- to make or become gentler
WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2016
soft•en /ˈsɔfən, ˈsɑfən/USA pronunciation
v.,
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2016- to (cause to) become soft or softer: [~ + object]moisturizing cream to soften the skin.[no object]His normally gruff voice softened when he saw that the child was afraid.
soft•en
(sô′fən, sof′ən),
v.t.
v.i.
mollify, mitigate, soothe, alleviate, calm, quiet, ease. 1, 2 . harden.
v.t.
- to make soft or softer.
v.i.
- to become soft or softer.
Etymology:1325–75;
Middle English;
see soft, -en1
1 . melt;Middle English;
see soft, -en1
mollify, mitigate, soothe, alleviate, calm, quiet, ease. 1, 2 . harden.
Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::
soften /ˈsɒfən/ vb
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