melting

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "melting" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the process of a solid turning into a liquid due to heat or to convey a sense of emotional vulnerability or softness. Example: "The ice cream was melting in the sun, creating a puddle of sweetness on the sidewalk."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Lifestyle

Environment

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

The ice around the edge of Antarctica is melting faster than previously thought, potentially unlocking metres of sea-level rise in the long-term, researchers have warned.

The Guardian

We ate fish kebabs with coconut salsa, giant prawns, palm heart souffles, melting sorbets and wonderful cardamom ice cream.

The Guardian - Travel

That's what Fragonard's painting The Swing is about – the wonderful joke of the painting is that while the man tries to sneak a look up the swinging woman's skirts, Fragonard's receding, melting, luxuriant garden landscape gives the painting's beholder a sensory evocation of all he longs to see.

The Guardian - Arts

A momentary fondu, a "melting" bend of the supporting knee (as opposed to fondue, a melting of Gruyère cheese) and she's into the next step.

The Guardian

In turn, this helps scientists to estimate the contribution of melting ice sheets to rising sea levels.

The Guardian

This is the same country that sells its capital, London, as a global hub, a melting pot of nations where more than a third of residents – or about 2.5m - are foreign born and pretty much everyone rubs along nicely together.

The Guardian - Opinion

Eat, with a salad of frisée and watercress, once the cheese is melting and the toast is crisp.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Magritte's deadpan art unsettles by melting boundaries between reality and fantasy.

The Guardian - Arts

One study finds that sea ice could be on a temporary rise because fresh water freezes more easily – and there's now more fresh water from the melting ice sheets than before.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

If Billy Elliot heralds a new strain of melting-pot cinema, it's only reflecting the wider melting-pot in the land at large.

The Guardian - Film

FIRST came the "ice-breaking", then the "ice-melting".

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing environmental changes, use "melting" to highlight the impact of rising temperatures on ice sheets and glaciers. For example: "The rapid melting of Arctic ice contributes to rising sea levels."

Common error

Be cautious when using "melting" metaphorically. Ensure the context supports the image of something dissolving or losing its form. Overuse can weaken your writing. For example, avoid saying "My brain is melting" when you mean "I'm overwhelmed".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "melting" is a verb, often used in its present participle form to describe an ongoing process. As Ludwig AI suggests, it describes the act of a solid transforming into a liquid due to heat, or figuratively, a softening or dissolving of emotions or resistance.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Lifestyle

15%

Environment

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "melting" is a versatile term primarily used as a verb to describe a substance changing from solid to liquid, or metaphorically, to convey emotional softening. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. It is frequently found in news articles, lifestyle content, and environmental reports, indicating its relevance in describing both physical and abstract concepts. While generally neutral in register, contextual awareness is key to avoiding overuse or inappropriate metaphorical applications. As shown by examples found via Ludwig, authoritative sources frequently employ "melting" in discussions about climate change, food, and human emotion.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

liquefying

Focuses specifically on the change of a substance into a liquid state.

dissolving

Implies a substance breaking down and dispersing within a liquid.

thawing

Specifically refers to the process of ice or snow turning into water.

liquefaction

A more technical term for the process of becoming liquid.

deliquescing

Describes a solid absorbing moisture from the air and dissolving into a liquid solution.

becoming molten

Refers to a substance heated to a liquid state, typically at high temperatures.

softening

Can describe both a physical change and an emotional state, losing rigidity or hardness.

becoming fluid

Emphasizes the change to a flowing, adaptable state.

running

Indicates a liquid flowing or spreading freely.

dethawing

Similar to thawing, emphasizing the removal of frost or ice.

FAQs

How can I use "melting" in a sentence?

"Melting" can describe a physical process like "The ice is "melting" in the sun" or a figurative one, such as "Her anger was "melting" away."

What are some synonyms for "melting"?

Synonyms for "melting" include "liquefying", "dissolving", and "thawing", each carrying slightly different connotations.

Is it correct to say "the ice caps aren't melting"?

According to Ludwig, "the ice caps aren't melting" is a grammatically correct sentence. However, scientific evidence overwhelmingly indicates that ice caps are indeed "melting" due to climate change.

What's the difference between "melting" and "dissolving"?

"Melting" refers to a change of state from solid to liquid due to heat, while "dissolving" involves a solid breaking down into a liquid, creating a solution. For example, ice "melts", and sugar "dissolves" in water.