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   soft

   /sôft/

   adjective

   • 1. easy to mold, cut, compress, or fold; not hard or firm to the touch: "soft margarine" Similar mushysquashypulpypappyslushysloppysquelchysquishyoozydoughysemiliquidinformal:gooeygloopysquidgyrare:pulpousswampymarshyboggymiryfennyoozyheavysquelchyrare:quaggysuppleelasticspringypliablepliantsquashyresilientcushionyspongycompressibleflexibleductilemalleabletensileplasticOpposite hardfirmhard
   • ▪ having a smooth surface or texture that is pleasant to touch; not rough or coarse: "soft crushed velvet" Similar velvetysmoothcushionyfleecydownyleatheryfurrysilkysilkensatinysuede-effectinformal:like a baby's bottomOpposite harshrough
   • ▪ rounded; not angular: "the soft edges of their adobe home"
   • 2. having a pleasing quality involving a subtle effect or contrast rather than sharp definition: "the soft glow of the lamps" Similar dimlowfaintshadedsubduedmutedmellowpalepastelmutedwashed outunderstatedrestrainedsubduedsubtleblurredvaguehazymistyfoggyveiledcloudycloudednebulousfuzzyblurryill-definedindistinctunclearflowingfluidOpposite harshluridsharp
   • ▪ (of a voice or sound) quiet and gentle: "they spoke in soft whispers" Similar quietlowfaintmutedsubduedmuffledhushedwhisperedstifledmurmuredgentledulcetindistinctinaudiblequietenedquietedOpposite stridentclear
   • ▪ (of rain, wind, or other natural force) not strong or violent: "a soft breeze rustled the trees" Similar gentlelightmildmoderatecalmbalmydelicatezephyr-likeOpposite strong
   • 3. sympathetic, lenient, or compassionate, especially to a degree perceived as excessive; not strict or sufficiently strict: "the administration is not becoming soft on crime" Similar lenienteasygoingtolerantforgivingforbearingindulgentgenerousclementpermissiveliberallaxtenderheartedsoftheartedOpposite strict
   • ▪ (of words or language) not harsh or angry; conciliatory; soothing: "he was no good with soft words, gentle phrases" Similar kindgentlemildsympatheticsoothingtendersensitiveaffectionatelovingwarmwarmheartedsweetsentimentalmushyromanticinformal:slushyschmaltzyOpposite harsh
   • ▪ (of news or other journalism) regarded more as entertainment than as basic news: "fashion is regarded as soft news"
   • ▪ willing to compromise in political matters; moderate: "candidates ranging from far right to soft left"
   • ▪ not strong or robust: "soft, out-of-shape executives in a computer company"
   • ▪ (of a job or way of life) requiring little effort. informal
   • 4. (of a drink) not alcoholic: "all they had was ginger ale and a few other soft drinks"
   • ▪ (of a drug) not likely to cause addiction.
   • ▪ (of radiation) having little penetrating power.
   • ▪ (of a detergent) biodegradable.
   • ▪ (of pornography) suggestive or erotic but not explicit.
   • 5. (of a market, currency, or commodity) falling or likely to fall in value: "now a new factor looms: soft oil prices"
   • 6. (of water) containing relatively low concentrations of dissolved calcium and magnesium salts and therefore lathering easily with soap: "you use only half as much soap when you clean with soft water"
   • 7. foolish; silly: informal "he must be going soft in the head" Similar foolishstupidsimplebrainlessmindlesswitlessimbecilicimbecilemadscatterbrainedfeatherbrainedgiddyinaneempty-headedhalfwittedslow-wittedweak-mindedfeeblemindedinformal:crazyloopyscrewydopeydippydaftdottyscattydivvysoppyglaikitdofdotishOpposite sensible
   • ▪ infatuated with: informal "was Brendan soft on her?"
   • 8. (of a consonant) pronounced as a fricative (as c in ice).

   adverb

   • 1. softly: "I can just speak soft and she'll hear me"
   • ▪ in a weak or foolish way: "don't talk soft"

   Word Origin Old Englishsōfte ‘agreeable, calm, gentle’, of West Germanic origin; related to Dutch zacht and German sanft.

   Derivatives

   • 1. softish adjective

   Scrabble Points: 7

   • S

     1

   • O

     1

   • F

     4

   • T

     1

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   More definitions, origin and scrabble points

2. dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › englishSOFT | English meaning - Cambridge Dictionary

   dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › english

   • Cached

   Learn the meaning of soft as an adjective in English, with synonyms, antonyms, and usage examples. Soft can describe something that is not hard, gentle, easy, weak, or watery.

   • English (US)

     SOFT meaning: 1. not hard or firm: 2. Soft things,...

   • Soft Spot

     SOFT SPOT definition: 1. to feel that you like someone very...

3. www.merriam-webster.com › dictionary › softSoft Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster

   www.merriam-webster.com › dictionary › soft

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   Learn the various meanings and uses of the word soft as an adjective, adverb, and noun. Find synonyms, examples, etymology, and related phrases of soft.

4. www.vocabulary.com › dictionary › softSoft - Definition, Meaning & Synonyms | Vocabulary.com

   www.vocabulary.com › dictionary › soft

   Soft things are fluffy or yielding to the touch. A kitten's fur and your favorite fleece pajama pants are soft. So is spreadable cheese or the spongy ground of a wet field. A soft voice is gentle, and a soft light or color is subdued or muted.

5. www.dictionary.com › browse › softSOFT Definition & Meaning | Dictionary.com

   www.dictionary.com › browse › soft

   • Cached

   Soft definition: yielding readily to touch or pressure; easily penetrated, divided, or changed in shape; not hard or stiff. See examples of SOFT used in a sentence.

6. www.collinsdictionary.com › dictionary › englishSOFT definition and meaning | Collins English Dictionary

   www.collinsdictionary.com › dictionary › english

   • Cached

   Learn the various meanings and uses of the word soft in English, with synonyms, examples, and pronunciation. Soft can describe something that is easy to touch, bend, or change shape, or something that is gentle, kind, or lenient.

7. www.thefreedictionary.com › softSoft - definition of soft by The Free Dictionary

   www.thefreedictionary.com › soft

   • Cached

   Learn the meaning and examples of the adjective soft, which can describe something that is yielding, smooth, gentle, mild, or easy. Compare soft with hard and find related terms and expressions.

8. www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › us › definitionsoft adjective - Definition, pictures, pronunciation and usage...

   www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › us › definition

   • Cached

   Learn the meaning, pronunciation, usage and synonyms of the adjective soft, which can describe something that is not hard, not rough, not harsh, not strict, not brave, or not involving much work. See examples, idioms and contrast with hard.