Melt Meaning
Melt Definition & Usage
To change from a solid to a liquid state due to heat.
Examples
- "The ice cubes will melt if you leave them outside."
- "Chocolate melts easily when you heat it up."
- "The snow is melting fast under the sun's rays."
- "The butter will melt in the pan as it heats."
- "The wax melted and dripped down the candle."
To soften or become emotionally moved, often implying a reduction in emotional resistance or hardness.
Examples
- "Her heart melted when she saw the puppy."
- "The strict teacher melted after hearing the student's heartfelt apology."
- "His tough exterior melted after spending time with his family."
- "The cold reception began to melt as they talked more openly."
- "Her anger melted away when he explained his side of the story."
To disappear or dissolve gradually.
Examples
- "The fog melted away as the sun rose higher."
- "The pain in my chest melted after the medication kicked in."
- "His worries melted as he settled into the comfortable chair."
- "The tension in the room melted after the icebreaker exercise."
- "The fears that once held her back melted after she gained confidence."
Cultural Context
The concept of melting is deeply ingrained in both literal and figurative expressions across cultures. In many literary works, characters 'melt' emotionally, often representing a moment of vulnerability or compassion. This can be seen in both the dramatic transformation of ice or snow and the more subtle emotional shifts between people. Additionally, 'melt' is commonly used in everyday speech to convey a softer or more positive change, often tied to affection or warmth.
The Melting of Hearts
Story
The Melting of Hearts
On a cold winter morning, the streets of the small town were covered in a thick layer of snow. Anna was walking home from the bakery, her breath fogging in the frigid air, when she noticed a small, shivering dog curled up under a bench. Her heart melted at the sight of it. She approached cautiously, her hands trembling as she knelt down. The dog looked up at her with soft, trusting eyes, its fur matted with ice. Without a second thought, she scooped it up into her arms and rushed inside to warm it up. As she settled by the fireplace, the heat from the flames began to melt the ice on the dog’s fur. The warmth of the room melted away the tension in Anna’s shoulders. She had been so focused on her work and the demands of the day that she hadn't realized how much she needed this moment of softness. Her mind was racing with plans for the dog’s care, but the emotional weight of the moment caught her off guard. She was used to her tough, independent nature, but something about this vulnerable creature melted the barriers she'd built around herself. She found herself smiling, a real smile that spread across her face without her thinking about it. In that moment, everything seemed to melt away—the stress, the worries, even the cold outside—and Anna realized that sometimes, the smallest acts of kindness could melt even the hardest hearts.
