Soothe

/suːð/

Meaning & Definition

verb
To gently calm or alleviate pain, discomfort, or distress.
She sang a lullaby to soothe the crying baby.
To bring comfort or relief to someone who is upset or in pain.
The mother tried to soothe her child's fears during the thunderstorm.
To relieve or lessen physical pain.
He applied a balm to soothe the rash on his skin.
To quiet or pacify.
The counselor spoke gently to soothe the anxious student.
To ease the intensity or severity of something.
A warm bath can help soothe sore muscles after a long workout.

Etymology

Middle English sothen, from Old English sōthian 'to declare something as true, to make true'.

Common Phrases and Expressions

soothe the savage beast
To calm a person or situation that is angry or aggressive.
soothe troubled waters
To bring peace to a chaotic situation.

Related Words

calm
To make (someone) tranquil and quiet.
comfort
To provide relief and support to someone in distress.

Slang Meanings

To chill out or relax.
I need to soothe after that stressful meeting.
To smoke or consume a substance to relax.
He likes to soothe with some herbal tea in the evening.