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📕 rednote ID(小红书号)：3881567312

Melt Definition, Usage, and Examples (2 meaning)

Meaning 1：liquefy (melt)

melt 🔊

/mɛlt/

When a solid thing becomes a liquid because it gets warm or hot.

liquefy 🔊

➕

/ˈlɪkwɪfaɪ/

To change from a solid to a liquid state due to heat.

📁 Category：Objects & Materials 🔖 Level：Beginner

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Old English 'meltan', akin to Greek 'meldein' and Latin 'mollire' (soften).

💡 Mnemonic

Melt reminds of ice cream under the sun – a solid becomes liquid when hot.

📖 Example

The ice cream started to melt quickly under the hot summer sun. 🔊 The ice cream started to liquefy quickly under the hot summer sun.

🔗 Collocations

melt butter – to heat butter until it becomes liquid

melt ice – to cause ice to turn into water

melt down – to melt a metal completely for reshaping

🔄 Synonyms

thaw (v.) – to become soft or liquid due to warming, especially ice or frozen food

liquefy (v.) – to make or become liquid, usually by heating

dissolve (v.) – to mix with a liquid and become part of it, often by heating

🚫 Antonyms

freeze (v.) – to change from liquid to solid by cooling

solidify (v.) – to become solid or harden

harden (v.) – to become firm or stiff, opposite of soften

🌱 Derivatives

melting (adj.) – that melts or causes melting

melted (adj.) – having become liquid by heating

meltdown (n.) – an accident where nuclear fuel melts; also an emotional breakdown

📖 Cultural Story

From Proto-Germanic *meltaną ('to dissolve'); commonly used in cooking and emotional softening scenarios.

Meaning 2：soften (melt)

melt 🔊

/mɛlt/

When someone's strong feelings (like anger or determination) become softer because of kindness or love.

soften 🔊

➕

/ˈsɒfən/

To lose one's anger or hostility and become kind and affectionate, often due to an emotional trigger.

📁 Category：Behaviors & Actions 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Example

Her stern expression melted into a warm smile when she saw the child's drawing. 🔊 Her stern expression softened into a warm smile when she saw the child's drawing.

🔗 Collocations

melt one's heart – to cause someone to feel love or sympathy

melt away – to gradually disappear, often for negative emotions

melt into tears – to start crying because emotions become overwhelming

🔄 Synonyms

soften (v.) – to make or become less harsh, severe, or hard

relent (v.) – to become more mild or forgiving after being strict

thaw (v.) – to become friendlier or less formal, especially after a period of coldness

🚫 Antonyms

harden (v.) – to become more severe, unyielding, or tough emotionally

stiffen (v.) – to become more rigid in attitude or demeanor

toughen (v.) – to become stronger and less easily affected emotionally

🌱 Derivatives

melting (adj.) – causing feelings of tenderness or sympathy

melted (adj.) – having become softer emotionally

meltdown (n.) – an emotional breakdown or loss of control