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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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