soften

英 [ˈsɒfn]

美 [ˈsɔːfn]

v.  (使)变软，软化; (使)柔和，和缓; (使)态度缓和，变温和，变宽厚

过去分词：softened　现在分词：softening　第三人称单数：softens　过去式：softened　

CET6

Collins.2 / BNC.6090 / COCA.4869

短语动词

短语用例

soften sb↔up

• 打动；诱导；拉拢
  to try to persuade sb to do sth for you by being very nice to them before you ask them
  1. Fry the onions until they soften.
     把洋葱炒软。
  2. a lotion to soften the skin
     润肤露
  3. Linseed oil will soften stiff leather.
     亚麻籽油可软化僵硬的皮革。
• 削弱，瓦解（敌人力量）
  to make an enemy weaker and easier to attack
  1. Trees soften the outline of the house.
     树木使房子的轮廓显得柔和。

习惯用语

v.

soften/cushion the blow
• 缓解；缓和
  to make sth that is unpleasant seem less unpleasant and easier to accept

牛津词典

verb

• （使）变软，软化
  to become, or to make sth softer
  1. Fry the onions until they soften.
     把洋葱炒软。
  2. a lotion to soften the skin
     润肤露
  3. Linseed oil will soften stiff leather.
     亚麻籽油可软化僵硬的皮革。
• （使）柔和，和缓
  to become or to make sth less bright, rough or strong
  1. Trees soften the outline of the house.
     树木使房子的轮廓显得柔和。
• （使）态度缓和，变温和，变宽厚
  to become or to make sb/sth more sympathetic and less severe or critical
  1. She felt herself softening towards him.
     她感觉自己对他逐渐温和起来。
  2. His face softened as he looked at his son.
     他看着儿子，紧绷的面孔松弛下来。
  3. She softened her tone a little.
     她稍稍缓和了一下语气。
• 减轻；减缓；削弱
  to reduce the force or the unpleasant effects of sth
  1. 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。

柯林斯词典

• V-ERG (使)变软;(使)变柔软;(使)变柔和
  If yousoftensomething or if itsoftens, it becomes less hard, stiff, or firm.
  1. Soften the butter mixture in a small saucepan...
     在小平底锅里将黄油混合物化软。
  2. Fry for about 4 minutes, until the onion has softened.
     煎 4 分钟左右，直到洋葱变软。
• VERB (使)(影响等)减弱，减轻
  If one thingsoftensthe damaging effect of another thing, it makes the effect less severe.
  1. There were also pledges to soften the impact of the subsidy cuts on the poorer regions.
     他们还承诺要减轻削减补贴给较贫困地区带来的影响。
  2. ...He could not think how to soften the blow of what he had to tell her.
     他要告诉她的事对她打击很大，但他又想不出怎么说才能减轻这种打击。
• V-ERG (使)(态度等)缓和
  If yousoftenyour position, if your positionsoftens, or if yousoften, you become more sympathetic and less hostile or critical towards someone or something.
  1. The letter shows no sign that the Americans have softened their position...
     信里没有任何迹象表明美国人的态度已有所缓和。
  2. His party's policy has softened a lot in recent years...
     他所在的政党近些年的政策已经变得温和多了。
  3. Livy felt herself soften towards Caroline.
     莉薇觉得自己对卡罗琳的态度变温和了。
• V-ERG (使)变温和;(使)和蔼
  If your voice or expressionsoftensor if yousoftenit, it becomes much more gentle and friendly.
  1. All at once, Mick's serious expression softened into a grin...
     米克严肃的表情一下子变成了笑脸。
  2. She did not smile or soften her voice.
     她没有笑，声音也没有温和起来。
• VERB 使(灯光、颜色、声音等)减弱;使变柔和
  If yousoftensomething such as light, a colour, or a sound, you make it less bright or harsh.
  1. We wanted to soften the light without destroying the overall effect of space...
     我们希望在不破坏整体空间效果的同时，使灯光柔和一些。
  2. Stark concrete walls have been softened by a show of fresh flowers.
     鲜花摆上之后，突兀的混凝土墙便显得柔和起来。
• VERB 使(皮肤)变得光滑柔软
  Something thatsoftensyour skin makes it very smooth and pleasant to touch.
  1. ...products designed to moisturize and soften the skin.
     使肌肤滋润柔滑的产品

英英释义

verb

• become soft or softer
  1. The bread will soften if you pour some liquid on it
• make soft or softer
  1. This liquid will soften your laundry
• lessen in force or effect
  1. soften a shock
  2. break a fall
  Synonym:dampendampweakenbreak
• make less severe or harsh
  1. He moderated his tone when the students burst out in tears
  Synonym:mincemoderate
• protect from impact
  1. cushion the blow
  Synonym:cushionbuffer
• make (images or sounds) soft or softer
• give in, as to influence or pressure
  Synonym:yieldrelent

双语例句

• To soften a formal look, Caroline recommends ethnic blouses.
  为了看上去不过于正式，卡罗琳建议穿有民族色彩的上衣。
• The letter shows no sign that the Americans have softened their position
  信里没有任何迹象表明美国人的态度已有所缓和。
• Senator Sarbanes expressed concern that programs designed to soften the blow of unemployment are not working well.
  旨在缓解失业冲击的项目进展得并不太顺利，参议员萨班斯对此表示关切。
• You can also soften skin with the click of your mouse.
  您还可以软化皮肤与点击你的鼠标。
• I also like to use this Brush to soften edges.
  我喜欢使用这个笔刷来制作柔和的边缘。
• The more you soften a request, the more polite it becomes.
  你愈使请求柔婉，请求就愈变为客气。
• If they'd treated you well it was just to soften you up.
  他们要是对你好，也不过是为了讨好你罢了。
• All at once, Mick's serious expression softened into a grin
  米克严肃的表情一下子变成了笑脸。
• We wanted to soften the light without destroying the overall effect of space
  我们希望在不破坏整体空间效果的同时，使灯光柔和一些。
• The garden has an informal feel to soften the architectural lines of the conservatory.
  花园有一种随意的风格，从而使温室的建筑轮廓显得柔和了。