Soften

Pronunciation

• RP IPA: /ˈsÉ’fÉ™n/, enPR: sŏf′en
• US IPA: /ˈsÉ”fÉ™n/, enPR: sôf′en
• US IPA: /ˈsÉ‘fÉ™n/, enPR: sŏf′en

Origin

From Middle English soft + en

Full definition of soften

Verb

1. (transitive) To make something soft or softer.Soften the butter before beating in the sugar.
2. (transitive) To undermine the morale of someone (often soften up).Before the invasion, we softened up the enemy with the artillery.
3. (transitive) To make less harshHaving second thoughts, I softened my criticism.
4. (intransitive) To become soft or softerThe butter softened as it warmed up.