soften

  • 11soften — [sôf′ən, säf′ən] vt., vi. [ME softnen: see SOFT & EN] 1. to make or become soft or softer 2. to weaken the resistance or opposition of …

    English World dictionary

  • 12soften — [[t]sɒ̱f(ə)n, AM sɔ͟ːf [/t]] softens, softening, softened 1) V ERG If you soften something or if it softens, it becomes less hard, stiff, or firm. [V n] Soften the butter mixture in a small saucepan... Fry for about 4 minutes, until the onion has …

    English dictionary

  • 13soften — soft|en [ˈsɔfən US ˈso: ] v [I and T] 1.) also soften up to become less hard or rough, or make something less hard or rough ≠ ↑harden ▪ Use moisturizer to soften your skin. ▪ Cook until the onion softens. 2.) if your attitude softens, or if… …

    Dictionary of contemporary English

  • 14soften — verb 1 become/make sth softer/gentler ADVERB ▪ considerably, a lot ▪ a bit, a little, slightly, somewhat ▪ His smile softened slightly …

    Collocations dictionary

  • 15soften */ — UK [ˈsɒf(ə)n] / US [ˈsɔf(ə)n] verb Word forms soften : 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… …

    English dictionary

  • 16soften — soft|en [ sɔfn ] verb * 1. ) intransitive or 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. 2. ) intransitive or transitive to become… …

    Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

  • 17soften — verb (I, T) 1 to become softer or make something softer: Choose a good moisturizer to soften and protect your skin | Cook until the onion has softened. 2 if your attitude softens, or if something softens it, it becomes less strict and more… …

    Longman dictionary of contemporary English

  • 18soften up — phrasal verb [transitive] Word forms soften up : present tense I/you/we/they soften up he/she/it softens up present participle softening up past tense softened up past participle softened up to make someone more likely to do what you want by… …

    English dictionary

  • 19soften — verb /ˈsɒfən/ a) To make something soft or softer. Soften the butter before beating in the sugar. b) To undermine the morale of someone (often soften up). Before the invasion, we softened up the enemy with the artillery …

    Wiktionary

  • 20soften — sọf|ten 〈V. tr.; hat; Fot.〉 Bilder soften mit optischen Hilfsmitteln, die vor die Linse gebracht werden, weichzeichnen [engl., „weich machen“] * * * sọf|ten <sw. V.; hat [engl. to soften] (Fot.): (die Vergrößerung eines Fotos) mit optischen… …

    Universal-Lexikon