melt
gb/mˈɛlt/ us/mˈɛlt/
A2
English
~ 1700
olvad, megolvaszt, megolvad, megpuhul, ellágyul, elolvad, meglágyul a szíve, észrevétlenül eltűnik, beleolvad a tömegbe, eloldalog
VERB
A2
1
olvad
A2
Usage pattern:
to melt [something]
The ice began to melt in the sun.
A jég olvadni kezdett a napon.
She melted the butter before adding it to the recipe.
Megolvasztotta a vajat, mielőtt felhasználta volna a receptben.
The snow melts quickly in spring.
The wax melted when the candle was lit.
Learner examples
The ice melts in the sun.
A jég olvad a napon.
Heat melts the butter.
A hő megolvasztja a vajat.
The snow melts in spring.
The wax melts near the fire.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'melt' with 'dissolve'. 'Melt' is for solids becoming liquid due to heat; 'dissolve' is for solids mixing into a liquid.
Meaning
Change from solid to liquid
Collocations
melt butter
|melt chocolate
|melt ice
Synonyms
liquefy (More formal and technical term for turning into a liquid.)
Antonyms
freeze (Means to change from liquid to solid, the opposite of melting.)
Themes
science
|daily life
|cooking
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To turn from a solid into a liquid because of heat.
To become liquid through the application of heat.
VERB
A2
2
megolvaszt
B1
Usage pattern:
to melt [something]
Melt the chocolate before adding it to the cake mixture.
Olvaszd meg a csokoládét, mielőtt hozzáadod a sütemény tésztájához.
He melted the gold to make jewelry.
Megolvasztotta az aranyat, hogy ékszert készítsen belőle.
They melted the ice to get drinking water.
Learner examples
Melt the butter for the bread.
Olvaszd meg a vajat a kenyérhez.
She melts cheese on the toast.
Sajtot olvaszt a pirítóson.
We melt ice for water.
Meaning
Make solid become liquid
Collocations
melt cheese
|melt chocolate
|melt metal
Synonyms
liquefy (More formal; often used in technical or scientific contexts.)
Antonyms
solidify (Means to make something become solid, the opposite process.)
Themes
science
|daily life
|cooking
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To heat something so it becomes liquid.
To cause something solid to become liquid by applying heat.
VERB
B1
3
Usage pattern:
to melt [something]
The plastic toy melted when left near the heater.
A műanyag játék megolvadt, amikor a fűtőtest közelében hagyták.
The wax figures melted in the summer heat.
A viaszfigurák megolvadtak a nyári hőségben.
Some materials melt easily when exposed to sunlight.
Learner examples
Plastic melts in hot sun.
A műanyag megolvad a tűző napon.
The wax melts in warm air.
A viasz megpuhul a meleg levegőben.
This glue melts when hot.
Meaning
Soften and lose shape from heat
Collocations
melt plastic
|melt wax
|melt glue
Synonyms
soften (Implies becoming less hard, not necessarily turning into a liquid.)
Antonyms
harden (Means to become firm or rigid, opposite of melting in this sense.)
Themes
science
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To get soft and lose shape because of heat.
To lose firmness or shape as a result of heat, often without becoming fully liquid.
VERB
B2
4
Usage pattern:
to melt at [something]
Her smile made him melt instantly.
A mosolyától azonnal elolvadt.
I melted when I saw the puppy's big eyes.
Elolvadtam, amikor megláttam a kiskutya hatalmas szemeit.
His kindness melted her anger away.
Learner examples
I melt when I see my baby.
Elolvadok, amikor meglátom a kisbabámat.
Her words melt my heart.
A szavaitól meglágyul a szívem.
The cute dog makes me melt.
Meaning
Become tender or sympathetic
Collocations
melt with joy
|melt with pity
|melt someone's heart
Synonyms
soften (Can refer both to physical and emotional change; in this context, emotional.)
Antonyms
harden (In emotional sense, means to become less sympathetic or kind.)
Themes
emotions
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To start feeling soft, kind, or warm emotions.
To be affected emotionally in a way that makes one feel softer, kinder, or more sympathetic.
VERB
B2
INFORMAL
5
Usage pattern:
to melt away
As soon as the meeting ended, he melted away into the crowd.
Amint véget ért a megbeszélés, észrevétlenül eltűnt a tömegben.
She melted away before anyone could ask questions.
Észrevétlenül eltűnt, mielőtt bárki kérdezhetett volna.
The protesters slowly melted away after the speech.
Learner examples
He melted away in the night.
Észrevétlenül eltűnt az éjszakában.
She melted away from the group.
Észrevétlenül eloldalgott a csoporttól.
The man melted away after talking.
Meaning
Disappear quietly and quickly
Collocations
melt away into the crowd
Synonyms
slip away (Similar meaning but less metaphorical; also used for unnoticed departure.)
Antonyms
appear (Opposite of disappearing; to come into sight.)
Themes
daily life
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To go away fast and quietly so no one sees you.
To leave or vanish quietly and without attracting attention.
Grammar
Dictionary form
melt
IPA
GB/mˈɛlt/
US/mˈɛlt/
Syllables & stress
melt (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (melt)
Word forms
Verb
- Base: melt
- 3rd Person Singular: melts
- Present Participle: melting
- Past: melted
Word family
Forms
melts
verb
melting
verb
melted
verb
Related words
meltdown
noun B2
molten
adjective
Advanced or less common
meltable
adjective
Expressions
melt away
1/mˈɛlt əwˈeɪ/
phrasal verb
Gradually disappear completely
To slowly go away until nothing is left.
Examples
- The crowd melted away after the concert ended.
- Her anger melted away when she saw his smile.
melt down
1/mˈɛlt dˈaʊn/
phrasal verb
Heat metal until liquid for reuse/disposal
To heat metal until it becomes liquid so you can use it again or throw it away.
Examples
- They melted down old coins to make new ones.
- The factory melts down scrap metal for recycling.
meltdown
1/mˈɛltdˌaʊn/
fixed phrase
informal
Sudden failure or loss of control
A complete loss of control, especially from strong emotions or a big problem in machines or systems.
Examples
- The toddler had a meltdown in the supermarket.
- The stock market suffered a major meltdown yesterday.