Meaning & use
softener
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Meanings
nouncountable or uncountable
A substance or product added to laundry to make clothes feel softer and reduce static.
Grammar: Can be countable when referring to a brand or bottle (a softener) or uncountable when referring to the liquid itself (some softener).
Patterns
- fabric softener
- add softener to something
- use softener
Add fabric softener to the rinse cycle to keep towels fluffy.
This softener is designed for sensitive skin and has no perfume.
She forgot the softener, so the clothes felt rough and clingy.
nouncountabletechnical
A device or chemical that removes minerals from water to make it less hard.
Grammar: Countable; often used with 'water' before it: a water softener.
Patterns
- water softener
- install a softener
- salt for the softener
The plumber recommended a water softener because the local supply is very hard.
You need to refill the softener with salt every few weeks.
A softener can prevent limescale from building up in the pipes.
nouncountable or uncountable
A liquid or cream applied to hair or skin to make it feel smoother and less dry.
Grammar: Often used with 'hair' or 'skin': a hair softener, a skin softener.
Patterns
- hair softener
- skin softener
- apply softener
This hair softener is meant to be left on for five minutes.
She uses a natural skin softener made from almond oil.
The product works as a softener and a light conditioner.
Word forms
| plural | softeners |
|---|
Common combinations
- fabric softener
- Fabric softener makes the sheets smell fresh.
- water softener
- A water softener removes calcium from the water.
- hair softener
- He bought a hair softener for his dry, curly hair.
- add softener
- Add softener to the final rinse for extra softness.
- a bottle of softener
- We need a bottle of softener from the supermarket.
Synonyms and how they differ
- conditioner
- Conditioner is mainly for hair and makes it easier to comb; a softener is broader and can also refer to laundry or water products.
- emollient
- Emollient is a formal or medical word for a skin softener that soothes dry skin; it is not used for laundry.
Word family
Commonly confused: softener or sweetener?
softener vs sweetener
A sweetener is a substance that makes food or drink taste sweet, while a softener makes things softer. They sound similar but are used in different contexts.
Practice
Which word correctly completes the sentence? 'Please add some fabric ______ to the washing machine to make the towels softer.'
Choose one answer.
Softener is the product used in laundry to make fabrics feel softer. Sweetener is for taste, conditioner is mainly for hair, and hardener makes things hard, so none of the others fit.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “softener”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.