Main Entry: soft·en

Pronunciation: \ˈsȯ-fən\

Function: verb

Inflected Form(s): soft·ened; soft·en·ing \ˈsȯ-fə-niŋ, ˈsȯf-niŋ\

Date: 14th century

transitive verb 1 : to make soft or softer
2 a : to weaken the military resistance or the morale of especially by harassment (as preliminary bombardment) —often used with up b : to impair the strength or resistance of —often used with up <soften up a sales prospect>intransitive verb : to become soft or softer <her face softened>

— soft·en·er \ˈsȯ-fə-nər, ˈsȯf-nər\ noun