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1. Dictionary

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

   dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › english

   • Cached

   B1. not forceful, loud, or easily noticed: a soft voice / sound. soft music / lighting. a soft glow. Thesaurus: synonyms, antonyms, and examples. disapproving. not severe or forceful enough, especially in criticizing or punishing someone who has done something wrong: She thinks I'm too soft on the kids when they misbehave.

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

   www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › us › definition

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   Definition of soft adjective in Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more.

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

   www.thefreedictionary.com › soft

   • Cached

   1. a. Yielding readily to pressure or weight: a soft melon; a soft pillow. b. Easily molded, cut, or worked: soft wood. c. Sports Not tense and therefore capable of absorbing the impact of a ball or puck and of catching, receiving, or controlling it: a receiver with soft hands. 2. Out of condition; flabby: got soft sitting at a desk all day. 3.

5. dictionary.cambridge.org › us › dictionarySOFT | definition in the Cambridge Learner’s Dictionary

   dictionary.cambridge.org › us › dictionary

   • Cached

   Definition of soft – Learner’s Dictionary. soft. adjective. uk / sɒft / us. soft adjective (NOT HARD) Add to word list. A2. not hard, and easy to press: a soft cushion. Cook the onion until it's soft. Fewer examples. I prefer soft cheeses. The bumper was soft enough to absorb the impact. The snail's soft body is protected by its shell.

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

   www.collinsdictionary.com › dictionary › english

   • Cached

   2 days ago · Something that is soft is very gentle and has no force. For example, a soft sound or voice is quiet and not harsh. A soft light or colour is pleasant to look at because it is not bright. There was a soft tapping on my door. When he woke again he could hear soft music.

7. www.dictionary.com › browse › softness&Soft Definition & Meaning | Dictionary.com

   www.dictionary.com › browse › softness&

   • Cached

   Soft definition, yielding readily to touch or pressure; easily penetrated, divided, or changed in shape; not hard or stiff: a soft pillow. See more.

8. www.ldoceonline.com › dictionary › softsoft | meaning of soft in Longman Dictionary of Contemporary ...

   www.ldoceonline.com › dictionary › soft

   • Cached

   Music played softly in the background. —softness noun [ uncountable] THESAURUS soft not hard, firm, or stiff, but easy to press a soft mattress Her skin was lovely and soft. soft ground tender used about meat or vegetables that are soft and easy to cut, especially because they have been well cooked The beef was very tender.