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melt

v. · n.
US //ˈmɛɫt// UK //mˈɛlt// melt
  1. 1 solid to liquid (v.)
    A2 Elementary Science

    to turn from a solid into a liquid because of heat.

    to undergo a phase change from a solid to a liquid state through the application of heat.

    Example

    The ice cream started to melt quickly in the hot summer sun.

    Example

    As the temperature rose above freezing, the thick layer of permafrost began to melt, creating significant challenges for the local infrastructure.

    Usage

    Can be used with or without a direct object.
  2. 2 to disappear (v.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Literary

    to slowly disappear or fade away.

    to blend into surroundings or vanish gradually from sight.

    Example

    The crowd began to melt away once the music stopped playing.

    Example

    The morning mist slowly melted into the horizon as the sun climbed higher, revealing the jagged peaks of the mountain range.
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  1. 3 to soften feelings (v.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    to become more kind or less angry.

    to become emotionally softened, sympathetic, or less resistant.

    Example

    His heart melted when he saw the puppy's sad eyes.

    Example

    Her initial coldness began to melt as she realised that his apology was genuinely sincere and deeply felt.
  2. 4 hot sandwich (n.)
    B1 Intermediate American English Cooking

    a hot sandwich that contains melted cheese.

    a sandwich served hot with a layer of melted cheese, often combined with tuna or ham.

    Example

    I ordered a tuna melt and a side of fries for lunch.

    Example

    The diner is famous for its sourdough patty melt, which features caramelised onions and a generous portion of Swiss cheese.

  3. 5 an idiot (n.)
    C1 Advanced British English Slang Informal

    a person who is acting silly, weak, or annoying.

    a derogatory term for a person perceived as foolish, pathetic, or overly emotional.

    Example

    Stop acting like a melt and just talk to her.

    Example

    He was being a total melt on the reality show, crying over every minor disagreement with the other contestants.

    Teacher's tip

    This term gained significant popularity in the UK through reality television in the late 2010s.
Origin

From Middle English melten, from a merger of Old English meltan (intransitive) and mieltan (transitive), both meaning “to melt, digest,” from Proto-West Germanic meltan and maltijan, from Proto-Germanic meltaną and maltijaną, both from Proto-Indo-European *(s)meld- (“melt”). Cognate with Icelandic melta (“to digest”).

Word family
Idioms3 entries

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