derreter

Senses

1. 1.

   to melt

   to change from solid to liquid state due to heat

2. 2.

   to melt (someone's heart)

   to deeply move or touch emotionally; to make someone feel tender affection

3. 3.

   to melt down

   to collapse emotionally or lose composure, especially from stress or emotion

Examples

• "O sorvete derreteu no sol."

  The ice cream melted in the sun.

• "Aquele sorriso do bebê me derreteu completamente."

  That baby's smile completely melted my heart.

• "Derreta a manteiga em fogo baixo antes de adicionar os ovos."

  Melt the butter on low heat before adding the eggs.

Usage

Common in both literal (physical melting) and figurative (emotional) contexts. Often used reflexively as "derreter-se" (to melt away, to swoon). The figurative use "derreter de amor/paixão" (to melt with love) is very common in Brazilian Portuguese. Colloquially, "derretido(a) por alguém" means infatuated or smitten.