softening
- 01 B2 Upper Intermediate
the process of something hard becoming soft or easier to press.
the physical process by which a substance loses its rigidity or hardness.
Simple“The softening of the butter made it much easier to spread on the bread.”
In context“The gradual softening of the clay allowed the sculptor to refine the delicate facial features of the statue before the final firing.”
- 02 B2 Upper Intermediate
when a person or a rule becomes less strict or more kind.
a reduction in the severity, intensity, or strictness of an attitude, policy, or emotional state.
Simple“We noticed a softening in his tone after we explained our situation.”
In context“Economists observed a softening of the central bank's stance on interest rates following the latest inflation report.”
SynonymsAntonyms
“Experts said the softening labour market was another reason the Bank of England was likely to hold interest rates.”
From Middle English softenynge, softynand, equivalent to soften + -ing.
From Middle English softenyng, softenynge, equivalent to soften + -ing.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.