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soften

verb
🔊/ˈsɒfn/
🔊/ˈsɔːfn/
Verb Forms
present simple I / you / we / they soften
🔊/ˈsɒfn/
🔊/ˈsɔːfn/
he / she / it softens
🔊/ˈsɒfnz/
🔊/ˈsɔːfnz/
past simple softened
🔊/ˈsɒfnd/
🔊/ˈsɔːfnd/
past participle softened
🔊/ˈsɒfnd/
🔊/ˈsɔːfnd/
-ing form softening
🔊/ˈsɒfnɪŋ/
🔊/ˈsɔːfnɪŋ/
Idioms Phrasal Verbs
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  1. [intransitive, transitive] to become, or to make something softer（使）变软，软化
    • Fry the onions until they soften.把洋葱炒软。🔊🔊
    • soften something a lotion to soften the skin润肤露
    • Linseed oil will soften stiff leather.亚麻籽油可软化僵硬的皮革。🔊🔊
  2. [intransitive, transitive] soften (something) to become or to make something less bright, rough or strong（使）柔和，和缓
    • Trees soften the outline of the house.树木使房子的轮廓显得柔和。🔊🔊
  3. [intransitive, transitive] to become or to make somebody/something more kind or friendly and less severe or critical（使）态度缓和，变温和，变宽厚
    • She felt herself softening towards him.她感觉自己对他逐渐温和起来。🔊🔊
    • His face softened as he looked at his son.他看着儿子，紧绷的面孔松弛下来。🔊🔊
    • soften somebody/something She softened her tone a little.她稍稍缓和了一下语气。🔊🔊
    Extra Examples
    • Her face softened into a smile.她的脸色渐渐温和起来，露出了微笑。
    • I've softened somewhat in my advancing age.随着年龄的增长，我稍微温和了些。
    Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadverb
    • considerably
    • a lot
    • a bit
    • …
    preposition
    • towards/​toward
    See full entry
  4. [transitive] soften something to reduce the force or the unpleasant effects of something减轻；减缓；削弱 synonym cushion
    • Airbags are designed to soften the impact of a car crash.气囊用来减轻汽车碰撞的冲击力。🔊🔊
    Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadverb
    • slightly
    • somewhat
    verb + soften
    • try to
    • help (to)
    phrases
    • soften the blow (of something)
    • soften into a smile
    See full entry
Idioms
soften/cushion the blow
  1. to make something that is unpleasant seem less unpleasant and easier to accept缓解；缓和
    • I should try to soften the blow of this news.我应该设法缓解这消息带来的打击。
    • The chancellor may try to soften the blow somewhat with a cut in interest rates.财政大臣可能会试图通过降低利率来稍微减弱这一打击。
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