soften
verb /ˈsɒfn/
/ˈsɔːfn/
动词形式
Idioms Phrasal Verbs| 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/ |
- [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。
- Fry the onions until they soften.
- [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。
- Trees soften the outline of the house.
- [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。
- 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。
Collocations Dictionaryadverb- considerably
- a lot
- a bit
- …
- towards/toward
- She felt herself softening towards him.
- [transitive] soften something to reduce the force or the unpleasant effects of something
减轻；减缓；削弱 - 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。
Collocations Dictionaryadverb- slightly
- somewhat
- try to
- help (to)
- soften the blow (of something)
- soften into a smile
- Airbags are designed to soften the impact of a car crash.
Idioms
soften/cushion the blow
- 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。
- I should try to soften the blow of this news.
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