softened
Elementary (A2)
IPA: /ˈsɔːfənd/
KK: /ˈsɔfənd/
adjective
Definition
Made less hard or firm, often by applying heat or moisture.
Example
The butter softened quickly when left out of the refrigerator.
Comparatives & Superlatives
Comparative: softer
Superlative: softest
Conversation
Have you tried that new dessert place downtown?
Not yet, but I heard their chocolate mousse is really softened and creamy.
I love desserts that are softened like that; they just melt in your mouth!
Exactly! I can't wait to go and try it.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
mellow
gentle
tender
Antonyms
hardened
harsh
rigid
verb
Definition
To make something less hard or firm; to reduce the hardness or intensity of something.
Example
The chef softened the butter before mixing it into the batter.
Tense Forms
Past: softened
Past Participle: softened
Conversation
Did you notice how the weather softened after the rain?
Yeah, it felt so refreshing compared to earlier!
I love it when the air softened like that.
Root Explanation
Softened → It is formed from "soft" (from Old English *softe*, meaning not hard or firm) and "-en" (a suffix used to form verbs indicating to make or become). The word "softened" means to make something less hard or firm.
Memory Tip
Think of something that is 'not hard' ('soft') becoming 'made' ('-en') less firm — that's what softened means.
Visually Confused Words
unsoftened
sterned