- to make or become soft or softer
- to make or become gentler
WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2017
soft•en /ˈsɔfən, ˈsɑfən/USA pronunciation
v.,
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2017- 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),USA pronunciation v.t.
v.i.
- to make soft or softer.
v.i.
- to become soft or softer.
- 1325–75; Middle English; see soft, -en1
- 1.See corresponding entry in Unabridged melt;
mollify, mitigate, soothe, alleviate, calm, quiet, ease.
- 1, 2.See corresponding entry in Unabridged harden.
Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::
soften /ˈsɒfən/ vb
'soften' also found in these entries:
allay
- amalgam
- bate
- bath salts
- bream
- bubble bath
- calm
- cushion
- demulcent
- depside
- diffuser
- digest
- dubbin
- emasculate
- emollient
- fill light
- grain
- harden
- intenerate
- ion exchange
- lenient
- lenition
- lower
- macerate
- meek
- mellow
- melt
- mince
- mitigate
- moderate
- modify
- modulate
- mollescent
- mollify
- mouillé
- mull
- mute
- prepare
- qualify
- relax
- relent
- scumble
- steep
- sweeten
- tame
- temper
- tenderizer
- tone
- wash drawing