英语词汇“soften”的英英意思、用法、释义、翻译、读音、例句、短语、词组-英语词典

Word forms: 3rd person singular presenttense softens, present participle softening, past tense, past participle softened

1. verb

If you soften something or if it softens, it becomes less hard, stiff, or firm.

Soften the butter mixture in a small saucepan. [VERB noun]

Fry for about 4 minutes, until the onion has softened. [VERB]

Synonyms: melt, tenderize More Synonyms of soften

2. verb

If one thing softens the damaging effect of another thing, it makes the effect less severe.

There were also pledges to soften the impact of the subsidy cuts on the poorer regions. [VERB noun]

He could not think how to soften the blow of what he had to tell her. [VERB noun]

Synonyms: lessen, moderate, diminish, temper More Synonyms of soften

3. verb

If you soften your position, if your position softens, or if you soften, you become more sympathetic and less hostile or critical towards someone or something.

The letter shows no sign that the Americans have softened their position. [VERB noun]

His party's policy has softened a lot in recent years. [VERB]

Livy felt herself soften towards Caroline. [VERB]

4. verb

If your voice or expression softens or if you soften it, it becomes much more gentle and friendly.

All at once, Mick's serious expression softened into a grin. [VERB]

She did not smile or soften her voice. [VERB noun]

5. verb

If you soften something such as light, a colour, or a sound, you make it less bright or harsh.

We wanted to soften the light without destroying the overall effect of space. [VERB noun]

Stark concrete walls have been softened by a show of fresh flowers. [VERB noun]

6. verb

Something that softens your skin makes it very smooth and pleasant to touch.

...products designed to moisturize and soften the skin. [VERB noun]

Phrasal verbs:

See soften up

Chinese translation of 'soften'

soften

(ˈsɔfn)

vt

[food] 使变(變)软(軟) (shǐ biànruǎn)
[impact, blow] 使缓(緩)和 (shǐ huǎnhé)
[position, attitude] 使软(軟)化 (shǐ ruǎnhuà)
[voice, expression] 使柔和 (shǐ róuhé)

vi

[food, material] (also soften up) 变(變)软(軟) (biàn ruǎn)
[position, attitude] 变(變)缓(緩)和 (biàn huǎnhé)
[voice, expression] 变(變)温(溫)和 (biǎn wēnhé)

单词	soften
释义	Trends of soften View usage for: soften (sɒfən, US sɔːf-) Word forms: 3rd person singular presenttense softens, present participle softening, past tense, past participle softened 1. verb If you soften something or if it softens, it becomes less hard, stiff, or firm. Soften the butter mixture in a small saucepan. [VERB noun] Fry for about 4 minutes, until the onion has softened. [VERB] Synonyms: melt, tenderize More Synonyms of soften 2. verb If one thing softens the damaging effect of another thing, it makes the effect less severe. There were also pledges to soften the impact of the subsidy cuts on the poorer regions. [VERB noun] He could not think how to soften the blow of what he had to tell her. [VERB noun] Synonyms: lessen, moderate, diminish, temper More Synonyms of soften 3. verb If you soften your position, if your position softens, or if you soften, you become more sympathetic and less hostile or critical towards someone or something. The letter shows no sign that the Americans have softened their position. [VERB noun] His party's policy has softened a lot in recent years. [VERB] Livy felt herself soften towards Caroline. [VERB] 4. verb If your voice or expression softens or if you soften it, it becomes much more gentle and friendly. All at once, Mick's serious expression softened into a grin. [VERB] She did not smile or soften her voice. [VERB noun] 5. verb If you soften something such as light, a colour, or a sound, you make it less bright or harsh. We wanted to soften the light without destroying the overall effect of space. [VERB noun] Stark concrete walls have been softened by a show of fresh flowers. [VERB noun] 6. verb Something that softens your skin makes it very smooth and pleasant to touch. ...products designed to moisturize and soften the skin. [VERB noun] Phrasal verbs: See soften up soften in British English (ˈsɒfən) verb 1. to make or become soft or softer 2. to make or become gentler 3. (intransitive) business a. (of demand, a market, etc) to weaken b. (of a price) to fall soften in American English (ˈsɔfən; ˈsɑfən) verb transitive, verb intransitive 1. to make or become soft or softer 2. to weaken the resistance or opposition of Word origin ME softnen: see soft & -en More idioms containing soften soften the blow Examples of 'soften' in a sentence soften The sliding crude price has significantly softened the blow of any duty rise. Times, Sunday Times (2015) Gently soften in the butter in a sauté pan. Times, Sunday Times (2009) Labour has softened its position on holding terror suspects. Times, Sunday Times (2010) Stir the celery into the softening onion. Times, Sunday Times (2010) This also makes it easier to soften and blend colours. Bulgin, Sally Acrylics Masterclass (1994) This serum is brimming with feelgood essential oils that keep skin silky and soften brittle hair. Times, Sunday Times (2008) This pleasing effect softens the hard steel lines and shields the precipitous drop to the road below. Times, Sunday Times (2006) Demand for mortgages also softened in the face of increased borrowing costs and lower disposable income. Times, Sunday Times (2008) The demands were softened only after intervention from other ministers and prolonged negotiation. Times, Sunday Times (2012) Neither fighter has become softened by the luxury that now surrounds them. The Sun (2009) Her voice softened as she spoke of her son. Times, Sunday Times (2014) But he softens the blows with anecdotes and personal insights. Christianity Today (2000) Melt most of the remaining butter in a large frying pan and gently soften the onions. Times, Sunday Times (2007) The weather and lighting can soften colours. Freeman, Michael Photographers Handbook (1993) The effect was to soften the opposition. Times, Sunday Times (2010) Heat the oil in spacious sauté pan and gently soften the onion while you halve the tomatoes. Times, Sunday Times (2011) Any deviation from that general approach raises concerns that demand is softening in the face of slower economic growth. Times, Sunday Times (2008) The government is expected to soften the blow to employers by sparing small firms with up to five employees. Times, Sunday Times (2006) Beat the butter to soften with a spatula, then stir in the bacon. The Sun (2014) You can soften your position now, though. Times, Sunday Times (2008) No formal curtain: the mayhem just softens to one voice as the house lights go down. Times, Sunday Times (2013) If you cannot balance in this position, soften your knees and lower your hips a bit. The Sun (2011) Mixing lemon juice with white wine vinegar also softens the sharpness of the lemon but gives the dressing a fresher, livelier taste. Times, Sunday Times (2007) In other languages soften British English: soften VERB If you soften something or if it softens, it becomes less hard, stiff, or firm. Soften the butter mixture in a small saucepan. American English: soften Brazilian Portuguese: amaciar Chinese: 使变软 European Spanish: ablandar French: ramollir German: weich machen Italian: ammorbidire Japanese: 柔らかくする/柔らかくなる Korean: 부드럽게 하다 European Portuguese: amaciar Latin American Spanish: ablandar Chinese translation of 'soften' soften (ˈsɔfn) vt [food] 使变(變)软(軟) (shǐ biànruǎn) [impact, blow] 使缓(緩)和 (shǐ huǎnhé) [position, attitude] 使软(軟)化 (shǐ ruǎnhuà) [voice, expression] 使柔和 (shǐ róuhé) vi [food, material] (also soften up) 变(變)软(軟) (biàn ruǎn) [position, attitude] 变(變)缓(緩)和 (biàn huǎnhé) [voice, expression] 变(變)温(溫)和 (biǎn wēnhé) 1 (verb) in the sense of melt Definition to make or become soft or softer Soften the butter mixture in a small saucepan. Synonyms melt Her smile is enough to melt anyone's heart. tenderize 2 (verb) in the sense of lessen Definition to make or become more sympathetic and less critical He could not think how to soften the blow of what he had to tell her. Synonyms lessen Keep immunisations up to date to lessen the risk of serious illness. moderate They are hoping that she will be persuaded to moderate her views. diminish Federalism is intended to diminish the power of the central state. temper He had to learn to temper his enthusiasm. lower The new measures will lower the risk. relax Rules governing student conduct have been relaxed in recent years. ease I made her a hot water bottle to ease the pain. calm She took a deep breath to calm her nerves. modify He had to modify his language considerably. cushion He spoke gently, trying to cushion the blow of rejection. soothe Lemon tisanes with honey can soothe sore throats. subdue He forced himself to subdue and overcome his fears. alleviate A great deal can be done to alleviate back pain. lighten He felt the need to lighten the atmosphere. quell He is trying to quell fears of a looming crisis. muffle allay He did what he could to allay the children's fears. mitigate ways of mitigating the effects of an explosion abate a government programme to abate greenhouse gas emissions tone down assuage She was trying to assuage her guilt. phrasal verb See soften someone up Additional synonyms in the sense of abate Definition to make or become less strong a government programme to abate greenhouse gas emissions Synonyms reduce, slow, relax, ease, relieve, moderate, weaken, dull, diminish, decrease, lessen, alleviate, quell, mitigate, attenuate, slake in the sense of allay Definition to reduce (fear, doubt, or anger) He did what he could to allay the children's fears. Synonyms reduce, quiet, relax, ease, calm, smooth, relieve, check, moderate, dull, diminish, compose, soften, blunt, soothe, subdue, lessen, alleviate, appease, quell, mitigate, assuage, pacify, mollify in the sense of alleviate Definition to lessen (pain or suffering) A great deal can be done to alleviate back pain. Synonyms ease, reduce, relieve, moderate, smooth, dull, diminish, soften, check, blunt, soothe, subdue, lessen, lighten, quell, allay, mitigate, abate, slacken, assuage, quench, mollify, slake, palliate Synonyms of 'soften' soften Explore 'soften' in the dictionary Additional synonyms in the sense of assuage Definition to relieve (grief, pain, or thirst) She was trying to assuage her guilt. Synonyms relieve, ease, calm, moderate, temper, soothe, lessen, alleviate, lighten, allay, mitigate, quench, palliate in the sense of calm Definition to make or become calm She took a deep breath to calm her nerves. Synonyms soothe, settle, quiet, relax, appease, still, allay, assuage, quieten in the sense of cushion Definition to lessen the effects of He spoke gently, trying to cushion the blow of rejection. Synonyms soften, dampen, muffle, mitigate, deaden, suppress, stifle in the sense of diminish Definition to make or become smaller, fewer, or less Federalism is intended to diminish the power of the central state. Synonyms reduce, cut, decrease, lessen, contract, lower, weaken, curtail, abate, retrench, disempower in the sense of ease Definition to make or become less difficult or severe I made her a hot water bottle to ease the pain. Synonyms relieve, calm, moderate, soothe, lessen, alleviate, appease, lighten, lower, allay, relax, still, mitigate, assuage, pacify, mollify, tranquillize, palliate in the sense of lighten Definition to make or become more cheerful or lively He felt the need to lighten the atmosphere. Synonyms ease, relieve, alleviate, allay, reduce, facilitate, lessen, mitigate, assuage in the sense of lower Definition to lessen or become less The new measures will lower the risk. Synonyms lessen, cut, reduce, moderate, diminish, slash, decrease, prune, minimize, curtail, abate in the sense of mitigate Definition to make less severe or harsh ways of mitigating the effects of an explosion Synonyms ease, moderate, soften, check, quiet, calm, weaken, dull, diminish, temper, blunt, soothe, subdue, lessen, appease, lighten, remit, allay, placate, abate, tone down, assuage, pacify, mollify, take the edge off, extenuate, tranquillize, palliate, reduce the force of in the sense of moderate Definition to make or become less extreme or violent They are hoping that she will be persuaded to moderate her views. Synonyms soften, control, calm, temper, regulate, quiet, diminish, decrease, curb, restrain, tame, subdue, play down, lessen, repress, mitigate, tone down, pacify, modulate, soft-pedal (informal) in the sense of modify Definition to make less extreme or uncompromising He had to modify his language considerably. Synonyms tone down, limit, reduce, lower, qualify, relax, ease, restrict, moderate, temper, soften, restrain, lessen, abate Additional synonyms in the sense of quell Definition to overcome or allay He is trying to quell fears of a looming crisis. Synonyms calm, quiet, silence, moderate, dull, soothe, alleviate, appease, allay, mitigate, assuage, pacify, mollify, deaden in the sense of relax Definition to make (rules or discipline) less strict Rules governing student conduct have been relaxed in recent years. Synonyms moderate, ease, relieve, weaken, diminish, mitigate, slacken in the sense of soothe Definition (of an ointment or cream) to relieve (pain) Lemon tisanes with honey can soothe sore throats. Synonyms relieve, ease, alleviate, dull, diminish, soften, assuage, deaden, take the edge off, allay in the sense of subdue Definition to make (feelings, colour, or lighting) less intense He forced himself to subdue and overcome his fears. Synonyms moderate, control, check, suppress, soften, repress, mellow, tone down, quieten down in the sense of temper Definition to modify so as to make less extreme or more acceptable He had to learn to temper his enthusiasm. Synonyms moderate, restrain, tone down, calm, soften, soothe, lessen, allay, mitigate, abate, assuage, mollify, soft-pedal (informal), palliate, admix
随便看	consider considerable considerable advantage considerable amount considerable anxiety considerable cost considerable damage considerable distance considerable effort considerable expense considerable importance considerable improvement considerable margin considerable pain considerable power considerable pressure considerable savings considerable skill considerable uncertainty considerable wealth considerable weight considerably consider a career consider action considerance

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soften

soften in British English

soften in American English

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In other languagessoften

Chinese translation of 'soften'

soften

vt

vi

phrasal verb

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Synonyms of 'soften'

soften

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soften

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soften

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soften

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soften