1 [I,T] to become softer or gentler; to make sb/sth softer or gentler （使）变软，变温和 [T] a lotion to soften the skin 一种使皮肤柔软的护肤液

2 [T] to make sth less strong and unpleasant 使温和；使缓和: Her letter sounded too angry so she softened the language. 她的信读来让人觉得她很生气，所以她把措辞缓和了一下。The air bag softened the impact of the crash. 保险气袋减弱了撞击的影响。