SOFTENER

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does softener mean? 

• SOFTENER (noun)
  The noun SOFTENER has 1 sense:

1. a substance added to another to make it less hard

  Familiarity information: SOFTENER used as a noun is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• SOFTENER (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

A substance added to another to make it less hard

Classified under:

Nouns denoting substances

Hypernyms ("softener" is a kind of...):

chemical; chemical substance (material produced by or used in a reaction involving changes in atoms or molecules)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "softener"):

conditioner (a substance used in washing (clothing or hair) to make things softer)

plasticiser; plasticizer (a substance added to plastics or other materials to make them more pliable)

water softener (a substance (such as sodium chloride) that lessens the hardness of water by replacing calcium and magnesium ions with sodium ions and so gives the water more efficient sudsing power)

Derivation:

soften (make soft or softer)

 Context examples 

What a softener of the heart was this persuasion!

(Sense and Sensibility, by Jane Austen)

A surface-active emollient, stool softener Docusate helps liquids to mix into dry stool, allowing patients to have a bowel movement without straining.

(Casanthranol/Docusate, NCI Thesaurus)

There are different types of laxatives that differ in mechanism of action and potency, including the bulk-producing agents, stool softeners, lubricants, hydrating agents, stimulants, saline laxatives and hyperosmotic agents.

(Laxative, NCI Thesaurus)

Known as quaternary ammonium compounds or quats, the chemicals are often used as disinfectants and preservatives in household and personal products such as cleaners, laundry detergent, fabric softener, shampoo and conditioner, and eye drops.

(Common Household Chemicals Lead to Birth Defects in Mice, The Titi Tudorancea Bulletin)