softener

American  

[saw-fuh-ner, sof-uh-] / ˈsɔ fə nər, ˈsɒf ə- /

noun

1. Chemistry.

   1. any admixture to a substance for promoting or increasing its softness, smoothness, or plasticity.

   2. water softener.

2. a person or thing that softens.

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ˈsoftener British  

/ ˈsɒfənə /

noun

1. a substance added to another substance to increase its softness, pliability, or plasticity

2. a substance, such as a zeolite, for softening water

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Etymology

Origin of softener

First recorded in 1600–10; soften + -er ¹

Example Sentences

He then adds vinegar to save on additives like softener.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 28, 2025

She’d never planned to do TV or film, but when an advertising executive approached her one night after she’d performed an ensemble role in “Gypsy,” she soon booked TV ads for fabric softener and diapers.

From Los Angeles Times • May 24, 2024

To use vinegar as a fabric softener, pour half of a cup of distilled white vinegar into the detergent or fabric softener dispenser during the final rinse cycle.

From Seattle Times • Mar. 16, 2023

Laundry detergent, fabric softener, fabric shampoo and conditioners and other cleaning products from the brand produced between January 2021 and September 2022 were recalled, the U.S.

From New York Times • Dec. 3, 2022

And, as an added bonus, the room smelled like liquid detergent and fabric softener.

From "Ready Player One: A Novel" by Ernest Cline