Meaning

(ergative) To change (or to be changed) from a solid state to a liquid state, usually by a gradual heat..

Definitions by Sense

1. (ergative) To change (or to be changed) from a solid state to a liquid state, usually by a gradual heat.
2. (intransitive, figuratively) To dissolve, disperse, vanish.
3. (ambitransitive, figurative) To soften, as by a warming or kindly influence; to relax; to render gentle or susceptible to mild influences; sometimes, in a bad sense, to take away the firmness of; to weaken.
4. (intransitive) To be discouraged.
5. (intransitive, figurative) To be emotionally softened or touched.
6. (intransitive, colloquial) To be very hot and sweat profusely.
7. Molten material, the product of melting.
8. The transition of matter from a solid state to a liquid state.

Example Sentences

I melted butter to make a cake.

When the weather is warm, the snowman will disappear; he will melt.

His troubles melted away.

I gave him a couple of Advil and, after a few minutes, urged him back onto the track. Over the next few laps his pained expression slowly melted, although he still shuffled with a slight limp.

Thou would'st have […] melted down thy youth.

For pity melts the mind to love.

The traveller hears me now and then, ⁠And sometimes harshly will he speak: ⁠‘This fellow would make weakness weak, And melt the waxen hearts of men.’

He was very dubious at first, but I believe the fellow is genuine in his attachment to the house. His final scruple melted when he learned that I should not require him to sit up with me.

Word Forms

• melts
• melting
• melted
• molt
• molten
• no-table-tags
• glossary
• melt
• meltest
• meltedst
• melteth
• -

Synonyms for melt

Related Words

When Should You Use Melt?

Use melt when its meaning, tone and grammar fit the full sentence. A synonym is not always a direct replacement.

Practice This Word

Frequently Asked Questions