melt

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To melt something means it changes from a solid to a liquid state due to heat or warmth.

When we talk about melting, we often think of ice cubes or chocolate. But the word can be used in other ways too. For instance, you might say your heart melts when you see a sad movie because it makes you feel all warm inside and emotional. Or, if someone is melting under pressure, they're feeling overwhelmed by their responsibilities. The idea is that something hard or solid is becoming softer and more vulnerable to change. This can happen with emotions, relationships, or even physical objects like ice cream on a hot day!

How common is "melt"?

Word melt is considered uncommon in modern English.
It has a balanced usage among all categories: speech, fiction, newspapers and academic texts.

Definitions

verb

(ergative) To change (or to be changed) from a solid state to a liquid state, usually by a gradual heat.
Example: I melted butter to make a cake.
(intransitive, figuratively) To dissolve, disperse, vanish.
Example: His troubles melted away.
(transitive, 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.
(intransitive) To be discouraged.
(intransitive, figurative) To be emotionally softened or touched.
Example: She melted when she saw the romantic message in the Valentine's Day card.
(intransitive, colloquial) To be very hot and sweat profusely.
Example: I need shade! I'm melting!