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soften

释义

soften

verb

UK /ˈsɒf(ə)n/

Word Forms

present tense
I/you/we/they	soften
he/she/it	softens
present participle	softening
past tense	softened
past participle	softened

1
intransitive/transitive to become softer, or to make something softer
Simmer gently until the apple has softened.
If the mixture is too hard you will need to soften it.
Synonyms and related words
To change consistency - general words
atomise
atomize
bake
2
intransitive/transitive to become kinder and less severe, or to make someone or something do this
When Jack spoke to the children his voice softened.
She seems to have softened her attitude to him.
Synonyms and related words
To change your opinion, attitudes or behaviour
change your mind
see reason/sense
adapt
3
transitive to make something look more pleasant by making its colour or shape less strong
The warm light softened her features.
Synonyms and related words
To make someone or something more attractive
decorate
adorn
enhance
4
if prices, sales etc soften, they fall in amount or value
We are seeing some softening in TV advertising due to the increasingly uncertain economic environment.
Submitted from:
United Kingdom on 07/11/2018
Open Dictionary - November2018

phrases

soften the blow/impact/effect

phrasal verbs

soften up

soften

verb

US /ˈsɔf(ə)n/

Word Forms

present tense
I/you/we/they	soften
he/she/it	softens
present participle	softening
past tense	softened
past participle	softened

1
intransitive/transitive to become softer, or to make something softer
Simmer gently until the apple has softened.
If the mixture is too hard you will need to soften it.
Synonyms and related words
To change consistency - general words
atomize
bake
boil
2
intransitive/transitive to become kinder and less severe, or to make someone or something do this
When Jack spoke to the children his voice softened.
She seems to have softened her attitude to him.
Synonyms and related words
To change your opinion, attitudes or behavior
change your mind
see reason/sense
adapt
3
transitive to make something look more pleasant by making its color or shape less strong
The warm light softened her features.
Synonyms and related words
To make someone or something more attractive
decorate
adorn
enhance
4
if prices, sales etc soften, they fall in amount or value
We are seeing some softening in TV advertising due to the increasingly uncertain economic environment.
Submitted from:
United Kingdom on 07/11/2018
Open Dictionary - November2018

phrases

soften the blow/impact/effect

phrasal verbs

soften up

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更新时间：2024/11/12 8:10:57