Quantcast
 
Dictionary
Thesaurus
Encyclopedia
Translator
Web
Related Searches
Synonyms
Nearby Words

soften

 - 3 dictionary results

soft⋅en

  [saw-fuhn, sof-uhn]
–verb (used with object)
1. to make soft or softer.
–verb (used without object)
2. to become soft or softer.
Use soften in a Sentence
Origin:
1325–75; ME; see soft, -en 1

Synonyms:
1. melt; mollify, mitigate, soothe, alleviate, calm, quiet, ease.

Antonyms:
1, 2. harden.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2010.
Cite This Source Link To soften
soft·en   (sô'fən, sŏf'ən)   
v.   soft·ened, soft·en·ing, soft·ens

v.   tr.

  1. To make soft or softer.

  2. To undermine or reduce the strength, morale, or resistance of.

  3. To make less harsh, strident, or critical: softened the last paragraph of the letter.

v.   intr.
To become soft or softer.
soft'en·er n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Word Origin & History

soften 
c.1385, "to mitigate, diminish," from soft (adj.). Meaning "to make physically soft" is from 1530; intrans. sense of "to become softer" is attested from 1611.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
Cite This Source
Search another word or see soften on Thesaurus | Reference
FacebookTwitterFollow us:
Partner Sites:
ExpediaHotelsHotwireLife123LiveDailyThe Daily BeastUrbanspoonAsk AnswersBloglinesSendori