melting

adjective

melt·​ing ˈmel-tiŋ 

: tender, delicate

a love song's melting lyric

… he impressed me with a melting performance of Paola Prestini's "Prelude and Aria" (from her opera "Gilgamesh") with the American Composers Orchestra.

—The New York Times

Updike's manner of appreciation is softer, more murmurous, more a matter of sighs and attentive ahhhs, but before his tone can turn too melting he pulls himself up and fixes the writer with an arresting phrase or judgment.

—James Wolcott

meltingly adverb

… meltingly tender berries …

—Elaine Johnson

It was a little plane, with the usual meltingly beautiful air hostess.

—Doris Lessing

Phil Masi looked at him meltingly. "Oh gosh, Senator, I'd follow you anywhere."

—Wilfrid Sheed

The kitchen does justice to its prime ingredients. Careful braising makes for moist, meltingly tender rabbit that soaks up its sauce like a sponge.

—William Grimes

Examples of melting in a Sentence

a love song's melting lyrics

She looked at him with melting eyes.

Word History

First Known Use

1565, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing melting

• in the melting pot
• melting point
• melting pot