To soften means to make something less hard, less harsh, or less intense. When butter softens on the counter, it goes from rock-hard to easy to spread. When you add water to clay, you soften it so you can mold it into new shapes.

The word works beyond physical things too. A teacher might soften her tone when a student is upset, speaking more gently instead of sternly. You can soften bad news by explaining it carefully and kindly. A harsh punishment might be softened to something more reasonable. When someone's expression softens, their face relaxes from angry or worried into something calmer and warmer.

Notice that softening doesn't mean making something weak. A softened position in an argument shows flexibility and wisdom, not surrender. When colors soften in evening light, they become more beautiful, not less interesting. The ability to soften your approach when needed, whether you're kneading bread dough or talking to a frustrated friend, shows good judgment about when firmness helps and when gentleness works better.