What does melting mean?
Melting is the present participle and gerund of melt. In its literal sense, it describes a solid becoming liquid or softer because of heat or warmth, as when ice melts in sunlight or cheese melts under heat. It can also be used transitively, as in melting butter, and in the related gerund construction “the melting of ice.” Figuratively, melting describes a person becoming more tender, affectionate, or emotionally receptive, especially when someone is moved by sympathy or charm. It can further describe boundaries or distinctions gradually disappearing, as when opposing groups become more integrated. The word also functions attributively: a “melting glance” or “melting look” expresses gentle, persuasive affection. Melting often carries a warm, positive connotation in both literal and figurative contexts, although sentimental uses may sound lightly playful or ironic. Its flexibility makes it useful for describing both physical transformation and gradual emotional change.
To become liquid or soft through heat or warmth, or to cause a substance to do so.
"Snow is melting on the roof, and the gutters are already overflowing."
This is the present participle of melt and can function either transitively or intransitively.
Tender, affectionate, or emotionally affecting; often describing a look, smile, voice, or moment.
"Her melting voice made the entire audience fall silent."
The figurative adjective is conventional in both British and American English and may carry a slightly sentimental or ironic tone in informal use.
The same word that softens butter can describe a gaze that makes even the most stubborn heart give way.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does melting come from?
Melting comes from melt, from Old English meltan, meaning “to become liquid” or “to cause to become liquid.” Old English meltan was related to Proto-Germanic *meltaną and ultimately to the Proto-Indo-European root *meldʰ-, associated with melting or dissolving. The English word smelt, borrowed through Dutch from a cognate Germanic verb, and forms such as smelting and meltwater belong to the same broader root family.
Related word forms
How melting is actually used
The literal verb uses are standard in British and American English. In its emotional or figurative senses, melting is often affectionate and mildly sentimental, and may be used with irony.
Easily confused with melting
Melting describes an action or process as it happens, whereas melted usually describes the completed result.