Softening

B1 16+

Pronunciation: /ˈsɔftənɪŋ/

Definitions of softening

noun the action or process of making or becoming soft

Example Sentences

A1 I noticed the softening of the butter as it sat out on the counter.

A2 The softening of her voice indicated that she was starting to calm down.

B1 The softening of the economy has led to job losses in the region.

B2 The softening of his stance on the issue surprised many of his supporters.

C1 The softening of the paint allowed for easier application on the walls.

C2 The softening of her attitude towards the project was a welcome change for the team.

verb present participle form of the verb 'soften', indicating ongoing action or state of softening

Example Sentences

A1 I am softening the butter before baking the cookies.

A2 She is softening her stance on the issue after hearing different perspectives.

B1 The company is softening its approach to customer complaints in order to improve satisfaction.

B2 The government is softening its position on the new tax law after facing strong opposition.

C1 The artist is softening the colors in the painting to create a more subtle effect.

C2 The negotiations are softening as both parties begin to find common ground.

Examples of softening in a Sentence

formal The softening of the butter is essential for making the perfect pastry dough.

informal I left the ice cream out for a while to help with the softening process.

slang I always add a little bit of milk to the mixture to speed up the softening.

figurative The softening of her heart towards him was evident in the way she smiled at his jokes.

Grammatical Forms of softening

past tense

softened

plural

softenings

comparative

softer

superlative

softest

present tense

softens

future tense

will soften

perfect tense

have softened

continuous tense

is softening

singular

softening

positive degree

soft

infinitive

to soften

gerund

softening

participle

softened

Origin and Evolution of softening

First Known Use: 1250 year
Language of Origin: Old English
Story behind the word: The word 'softening' originated from the Old English word 'softe' which means gentle or mild.
Evolution of the word: Over time, the word 'softening' has retained its original meaning of becoming gentle or mild, but it has also come to be used in various contexts such as in reference to the process of making something softer or more pliable.