verb

fondre

melt

C’est quand quelque chose solide devient liquide à cause de la chaleur.

The French verb "fondre" primarily means "to melt" or "to dissolve" something solid by heat or by mixing with a liquid. It is often used for substances like ice, butter, metal, or chocolate.

Meanings of "fondre":

Melt (by heat): When a solid becomes liquid because of heat.
- Example: Le beurre fond dans la poêle. (The butter melts in the pan.)
Dissolve or blend: Used figuratively when something disappears or blends in.
Become emotionally affected: In expressions like fondre en larmes (to burst into tears), meaning to suddenly start crying.

Synonyms and differences:

Dissoudre: Means "to dissolve," especially solids in liquids or causes disappearance, but mostly refers to chemistry/materials, like sugar dissolving in water.
Faire fondre: A phrase often used to mean "make melt"; "fondre" alone often is used with an object.
Liquéfier: Means "to liquefy," a more technical or formal term, often used in science.

Summary:

Fondre = to become liquid by heat or by blending.
Used in both literal (melting ice) and figurative/emotional senses (bursting into tears).
Different from dissoudre (which means dissolve chemically) and liquéfier (more formal, technical).