Soften Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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soften

[ˈsɒfən ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Verb}

behavior

To make or become less severe, harsh, or strict. To moderate or tone down one's behavior or language.

Synonyms

alleviate, lessen, mitigate, mollify.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
soften	Use 'soften' when you want to make something less intense, especially in the context of physical textures, emotions, or attitudes. She used conditioner to soften her hair He tried to soften his tone when speaking to the upset child
mollify	Use 'mollify' to describe calming someone down, especially when they are angry or upset. It is somewhat formal and often used in interpersonal contexts. He tried to mollify his angry girlfriend with flowers The manager's explanation did little to mollify the upset customers
lessen	Use 'lessen' when you want to decrease the amount, intensity, or degree of something in a general sense. The government introduced new policies to lessen unemployment His apology did little to lessen her anger
mitigate	Use 'mitigate' in more formal contexts to describe the action of making something less severe, harmful, or painful. The new laws are intended to mitigate environmental damage Effective communication can mitigate misunderstandings
alleviate	Use 'alleviate' when you want to reduce or relieve pain, suffering, or discomfort. The doctor gave her medicine to alleviate the pain Listening to music helps alleviate his stress

Examples of usage

Taking a deep breath can help to soften your approach when discussing a sensitive topic.
She tried to soften the blow by adding a few positive comments to her critique.

^{Context #2 | Verb}

texture

To make something soft or softer in texture. To make something less hard or firm.

Synonyms

loosen, macerate, relax, tenderize.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
soften	Has been listed previously with the same meaning and context, such repetition might not be necessary.
tenderize	Specifically used in cooking to describe making meat softer and easier to chew, usually by pounding or marinating. Tenderize the steak with a meat mallet before cooking. You can tenderize the meat by marinating it in a mixture of vinegar and spices.
macerate	Best used in culinary contexts for soaking food in liquid to soften it and infuse it with flavor. Macerate the strawberries in sugar to release their juices. The recipe instructs to macerate dried fruit in rum overnight.
loosen	Appropriate when talking about making something less tight or more relaxed. It is often used for physical objects like screws, ropes, or clothes. Loosen the screws before attempting to remove the panel. She loosened her grip on the handle.
relax	Use this when referring to making someone or something less tense or more comfortable, often in a personal or psychological context. She needed a vacation to relax after months of hard work. The therapist suggested techniques to help him relax.

Examples of usage

She used a special fabric softener to soften the towels.
The butter will soften if you leave it out at room temperature for a while.

^{Context #3 | Verb}

sound

To make a sound less harsh or loud. To reduce the intensity or volume of a sound.

Synonyms

dampen, muffle, mute, quiet.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
soften	Used for making something less hard, less intense, or less severe. It can refer to physical objects or emotional states. She added some conditioner to soften her hair His tone softened when he saw she was upset
muffle	Used to describe making a sound less loud or less clear, often by covering or wrapping. She used a pillow to muffle her cries The thick walls helped muffle the noise from the street
dampen	Often means to make something slightly wet or to reduce the intensity of feelings or reactions. It can sometimes carry a slightly negative meaning. The rain began to dampen their clothes The bad news dampened everyone's spirits
mute	Refers to reducing volume to the point of silence, usually related to sound or electronic devices. It can also mean to reduce the intensity of something, like emotions. He pressed the remote to mute the TV The tragic news seemed to mute everyone's joy
quiet	Used to describe reducing noise or making a place less noisy. It can also refer to calming emotions or situations. She asked the children to quiet down A peaceful walk in the woods quieted his mind

Examples of usage

He asked the band to soften the music during dinner.
The sound of the rain helped to soften the noise of the traffic outside.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Psychology

Research shows that soft sounds or textures can invoke feelings of comfort and safety in people.
Soften is often associated with emotional states; softening one’s tone can reduce conflicts in communication.
Practicing mindfulness can help to 'soften' rigid thoughts, leading to a more flexible mindset.

Cooking

In cooking, 'to soften' often refers to bringing ingredients like butter to room temperature for easier mixing.
Softening vegetables by steaming or boiling makes them easier to digest and enhances flavor release.
Many recipes call for softening cream cheese to easily blend it with other ingredients.

Literature

Poets often use 'soften' metaphorically to describe feelings or moments that bring emotional relief.
In stories, a character’s harshness might 'soften' as they experience love or compassion.
Classic literature frequently employs soft imagery to evoke tenderness or fragility.

Physics

In materials science, to soften a material can involve heating it or applying pressure to alter its structure.
The concept of softening also applies to how sound waves decrease in intensity as they travel through different mediums.
In metallurgy, softening refers to processes like annealing which make metals easier to shape.

Origin of 'soften'

Main points about word origin

The word comes from the Old English 'soft,' meaning 'gentle' or 'tender.'
The suffix '-en' is commonly used in English to turn adjectives into verbs, such as 'hasten' from 'haste.'
Similar words exist in other languages, like the Latin 'mollis' meaning 'soft' which also gave rise to words in Romance languages.

The word 'soften' originated from the Middle English word 'softnen', which is derived from the Old English word 'sēftan'. The concept of softening has been an essential part of human communication and behavior, allowing individuals to moderate their approach, tone, or texture. Over time, the word has evolved to encompass various contexts, from emotions and behavior to physical textures and sounds.

Word Frequency Rank

At position #12,644, this word is part of sophisticated English vocabulary. It's useful for academic or professional contexts where precise language is needed.

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12641 brightest
12642 brace
12643 burdened
12644 soften
12645 preside
12646 estuary
12647 ramifications
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