soften

[ saw-fuhn, sof-uhn ]
See synonyms for: softensoftenedsoftening on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object)
  1. to make soft or softer.

verb (used without object)
  1. to become soft or softer.

Origin of soften

1
Middle English word dating back to 1325–75; see origin at soft, -en1

Other words for soften

Opposites for soften

Other words from soften

  • o·ver·soft·en, verb
  • re·sof·ten, verb
  • un·soft·en·ing, adjective

Words Nearby soften

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How to use soften in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for soften

soften

/ (ˈsɒfən) /


verb
  1. to make or become soft or softer

  2. to make or become gentler

  1. (intr) commerce

    • (of demand, a market, etc) to weaken

    • (of a price) to fall

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012