| 单词 | soften |
| 释义 | soften 1 ENTRIES FOUND: soften (verb) soften /ˈsɑːfən/ verb softens; softened; softening soften /ˈsɑːfən/ verb softens; softened; softening Learner's definition of SOFTEN 1 : to become less hard or firm or to make (something) less hard or firm（使）变柔软 [no object] The butter will soften if left on the counter overnight.黄油如果在厨房台面上放一夜就会变软。 The wax softened (up) quickly.蜡迅速软化了。 [+ object] The recipe called for one stick of butter, softened.这个食谱需要一条软黄油。 Heat softens (up) wax quickly.高温使蜡迅速变软。 2 [+ object] : to make (something) less dry or rough滋润；使软化 The oil is used to soften and preserve the leather.这种油脂用来软化和保护皮革制品。 The lotion softens dry skin.这种润肤露滋润干燥的皮肤。 3 a [+ object] : to make (something) less severe, harsh, extreme, etc.使缓和；使减轻 The company has softened its stance on dating in the workplace.公司对于在工作场所约会的态度缓和了。 His arrogance is softened by a good sense of humor. [=his sense of humor makes his arrogance less annoying]他的幽默感使他的傲慢态度不那么让人讨厌了。 Passing clouds softened the glare of the sun. [=passing clouds made the sun less bright]飘过的云使太阳的强光减弱了。 b [no object] : to become less harsh, severe, extreme, etc.缓和；减轻 Her face/voice/expression softened when he entered the room.他走进房间时，她的脸色/声音/表情变缓和了。 His criticism of the president has softened in the past year.在过去的一年里，他对总裁的批评有所缓和。 c [+ object] : to make (something) less painful, forceful, or harmful使痛苦减轻；使力度减弱；使伤害减少 The grass softened my fall.在我摔下时草地起了缓冲作用。 — often used figuratively常用作比喻 Management tried to soften the impact of the layoffs by offering early retirement packages. = They tried to soften the blow by offering early retirement packages.管理层试图通过提出提前退休一揽子计划来减少裁员的影响。 4 [+ object] : to make (something) seem rounder or less sharp使显得不那么尖锐 Her new haircut softened her features.她的新发型使脸部轮廓显圆。 soften up [phrasal verb] 1 soften (someone) up or soften up (someone) : to treat (someone) very well or kindly in order to make that person more likely to help you, give you something, etc.软化；打动 He tried to soften her up by buying her flowers.他想要通过给她买花来打动她。 2 : to weaken (an enemy) through military attacks削弱（敌人） They used artillery to soften up the enemy's defenses before launching a full-scale attack.在发动全面攻击前，他们用炮火削弱敌方防御。 |
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