softener

UK: /ˈsɒf^ənə^r/ US: (sô′fə nər, sof′ə-)

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

soft•en•er  (sô′fə nər, sof′ə-), n. 

1. Chemistry
   • any admixture to a substance for promoting or increasing its softness, smoothness, or plasticity.
   • See water softener. 
2. Chemistry a person or thing that softens.

• soften + -er¹ 1600–10

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

softener / ˈsɒf^ənə/ noun

1. a substance added to another substance to increase its softness, pliability, or plasticity
2. a substance, such as a zeolite, for softening water

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

soft•en /ˈsɔfən, ˈsɑfən/   v., 

1. to (cause to) become soft or softer: [~ + object]
   moisturizing cream to soften the skin.
   [no object]
   His normally gruff voice softened when he saw that the child was afraid.

soft•en•er, n. [countable]

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

soft•en  (sô′fən, sof′ən), v.t. 

1. to make soft or softer.

v.i. 

2. to become soft or softer.

• 1325–75; Middle English; see soft, -en¹

Synonyms

• 1. melt; mollify, mitigate, soothe, alleviate, calm, quiet, ease.

Antonyms

• 1, 2. harden.