soften
gb/sˈɔfən/ us/sˈɔfən/
A2
Angličtina
~ 8900
Významy
0 významů
Sloveso
A2
action
1
make something softer physically
to make something less hard and more easy to press or shape
Vzorec užití:
to soften [something]
Častá chyba:
Learners sometimes say *make more soft* instead of *soften*. Use *soften* as the verb: "soften the butter", not "make the butter more soft" in concise speech.
Synonyma
soften up (Informal phrasal verb; often used about food or materials in everyday speech.)
|
tenderize (Used mainly for meat in cooking contexts.)
Antonyma
harden (General opposite: to make something more hard or firm.)
|
stiffen (Focuses on making something less flexible rather than generally hard.)
Kolokace
soften the butter
|soften the skin
|soften the fabric
|soften the clay
|soften the bread
|soften the hair
Témata
daily life
|home
|cooking
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Příklady
- Let the butter sit out to soften before you bake the cookies.
- Use a conditioner to soften your hair after washing it.
- The cream helps soften dry skin on your hands.
- Add a little water to soften the clay if it feels too stiff.
- Fabric softener is used to soften clothes in the wash.
Učební příklady
- The sun will soften the ice on the road.
- Microwave the butter for ten seconds to soften it.
- This lotion can soften your dry feet.
- She used warm water to soften the hard paint brush.
- Salt can soften the beans as they cook.
Sloveso
A2
action
2
become softer physically
to get less hard by itself
Vzorec užití:
[something] softens
Častá chyba:
Learners may use only *get soft* instead of *soften*. While *get soft* is correct, *soften* is more natural and shorter in many descriptions ("The butter softened" rather than "The butter got soft").
Synonyma
melt (Used when a solid becomes liquid, which is one way something can soften.)
|
thaw (Used when something frozen becomes softer as it warms.)
Antonyma
harden (Opposite process: something becomes firmer or more solid.)
|
set (Used of substances like concrete, jelly, or glue becoming firm.)
Kolokace
the butter softened
|the ground softened
|her skin softened
|the bread softened
|the plastic softened
|the wax softened
Témata
daily life
|cooking
|nature
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Příklady
- The ice cream softened quickly in the summer heat.
- As the dough rested, it softened and was easier to roll out.
- The wax softened near the candle flame and started to bend.
- After a few minutes in the pan, the onions softened and turned clear.
- The ground softened after the heavy rain.
Učební příklady
- The butter softened on the warm table.
- The frozen meat slowly softened in the fridge.
- In spring, the hard soil softens after the snow melts.
- The plastic bottle softened when it got too hot.
- The candy softened in my pocket.
Sloveso
B1
action
3
make something less harsh or severe
to make something less strong, hard, or serious in feeling or effect
Vzorec užití:
to soften [words/effect/rules/tone]
Častá chyba:
Learners may confuse this with the physical sense and try to use objects that do not fit, such as *soften the problem* without context. It is more natural to say *soften the effect/impact/tone* or *soften the rules*.
Synonyma
moderate (More formal; stresses bringing something to a more reasonable level.)
|
ease (Focuses on reducing discomfort or difficulty.)
Antonyma
intensify (To make something stronger or more extreme in effect.)
|
harden (In this context, to make an attitude, rule, or response more strict or unyielding.)
Kolokace
soften the tone
|soften the blow
|soften the impact
|soften the language
|soften the rules
|soften the criticism
Témata
emotions
|communication
|work
|society
|relationships
Příklady
- He tried to soften his words so they wouldn’t sound too rude.
- The company offered extra benefits to soften the impact of the job cuts.
- Adding a joke at the start can soften the tone of a serious speech.
- They agreed to soften the rules for new employees.
- She used a smile to soften the criticism.
Učební příklady
- He told the bad news slowly to soften the shock.
- You should soften your tone when you talk to children.
- The teacher tried to soften her answer so it did not sound too strong.
- The government gave people money to soften the problems of higher prices.
- She added kind words to soften her message.
Sloveso
B2
action
4
become less strict or harsh
to change and be less strict, angry, or hard in feeling or in how you speak
Vzorec užití:
[someone]/[attitude/tone] softens
Častá chyba:
Learners sometimes say *make soft* about a person’s attitude (e.g. *he made his heart soft*). Instead, use *soften* as an intransitive verb: *his heart softened* or *his attitude softened*.
Synonyma
relent (Focuses on finally giving in after being strict or harsh.)
|
mellow (Informal; suggests becoming more relaxed and gentle over time.)
Antonyma
harden (In this context, to become more strict, cold, or unforgiving.)
|
toughen (To become stricter or less sympathetic, especially about rules or attitudes.)
Kolokace
her face softened
|his attitude softened
|their position softened
|his heart softened
|her tone softened
|the stance softened
Témata
emotions
|relationships
|communication
Příklady
- Her expression softened when she saw the tears in his eyes.
- Over time, his attitude toward the idea softened.
- The government’s stance softened after the public protests.
- His voice softened as he spoke about his family.
- As she listened, her heart softened and she decided to forgive him.
Učební příklady
- Her eyes softened when she saw the baby.
- His attitude softened after he heard the full story.
- The teacher’s voice softened when the child started to cry.
- Their position on the plan softened after the meeting.
- My feelings toward him softened with time.
Sloveso
C1
action
5
become weaker or less strong (market etc.)
to become less strong or active, often about prices or need for something
Vzorec užití:
[prices/demand/market] soften
Častá chyba:
Learners may overuse more general verbs like *go down* or *fall*. In business or news writing, *soften* often suggests a small or gentle decrease, not a sudden drop.
Synonyma
slacken (Formal; used of speed or activity decreasing.)
|
weaken (General term; does not imply the slight, gradual nature that *soften* often suggests.)
Antonyma
strengthen (To become stronger or more active.)
|
firm (Specialized business use: prices or markets becoming stronger or more stable.)
Kolokace
prices softened
|demand softened
|the market softened
|sales softened
|growth softened
Témata
business
|economics
|finance
Příklady
- Oil prices softened slightly after the report.
- Demand for new cars has softened in recent months.
- The housing market is expected to soften next year.
- Sales softened in the second quarter compared with last year.
- Growth in the sector has softened as competition increases.
Učební příklady
- Prices softened after the holiday season.
- Sales of phones softened when cheaper models came out.
- The market for used cars softened last year.
- Demand for the product softened in the summer.
- Growth in the company softened but did not stop.
Gramatika
Slovníkový tvar
soften
IPA
GB/sˈɔfən/
US/sˈɔfən/
Slabiky a přízvuk
soften (1 slabika)
Stress on 1st syllable (soften)
Tvary slova
Verb
- Base: soften
- 3rd Person Singular: softens
- Present Participle: softening
- Past: softened
Příbuzná slova
Výrazy
soften the blow
1/sˈɔfən ðə blˈoʊ/
idiom
make bad news feel less painful
to make bad news or a bad event feel less painful or shocking for someone
Příklady
- To soften the blow of the breakup, her friends took her out for the evening.
- The company offered extra pay to soften the blow of losing their jobs.
- He tried to soften the blow by starting with some good news.
soften the edges
1/sˈɔfən ðə ˈɛd͡ʒɪz/
fixed phrase
make something look or feel less sharp
to make something less strong or sharp in look, style, or feeling, so it seems more gentle
Příklady
- The designer used plants to soften the edges of the modern building.
- A scarf can soften the edges of a very formal outfit.
- They added music to soften the edges of the serious documentary.
soften up
1/sˈɔfən ˈʌp/
phrasal verb
make someone more open or willing
to make someone kinder or more ready to agree, often by being nice to them first
Příklady
- He tried to soften her up with compliments before asking for a favor.
- The air force was used to soften up enemy positions before the ground troops moved in.
- Take her out to dinner to soften her up before you talk about the move.
- They launched missiles to soften up the defenses.
- They sent small gifts to soften up the clients before the big sales pitch.
- The initial bombardment was meant to soften up the city’s outer walls.
soften your tone
1/sˈɔfən jˈʊɹ tˈoʊn/
fixed phrase
speak in a less harsh way
to change your way of speaking so that you sound more kind, calm, or polite
Příklady
- He softened his tone when he realized she was upset.
- You need to soften your tone when you talk to him.
- The manager softened her tone during the second meeting.
soften the impact
1/sˈɔfən ðə ˈɪmpækt/
fixed phrase
reduce the strength of an effect
to make the effect of something less strong or less bad
Příklady
- Cushions were used to soften the impact of the fall.
- Tax cuts were introduced to soften the impact of rising prices.
- Better planning can soften the impact of budget cuts.
- They created a support fund to soften the impact of the factory closure.
- Better planning could have softened the impact of the storm on the city.
soften your stance
1/sˈɔfən jˈʊɹ stˈæns/
fixed phrase
become less firm in your position
to be less strict or firm in what you think or want, especially in an argument or negotiation
Příklady
- The union has softened its stance after weeks of negotiation.
- After long talks, the government finally softened its stance on immigration.
- She eventually softened her stance on working weekends.
- She refused to soften her stance on the issue.
- Public pressure forced the minister to soften his stance on the new law.
- The company softened its stance after hearing customer complaints.