A softener is something that makes things softer or less harsh. The most common type is a fabric softener, which people add to laundry to make clothes, towels, and sheets feel smoother and fluffier instead of stiff and scratchy. When fabric softener coats the fibers in cotton or other materials, it helps them slide past each other more easily, creating that soft, comfortable feeling against your skin.

The word also applies to anything that reduces harshness or intensity. A water softener removes minerals from hard water that make soap difficult to lather and can leave spots on dishes. When someone acts as a softener in a conversation, they help reduce tension by speaking gently or finding compromise, like a friend who helps two arguing classmates calm down and work things out.