soft
soft
Soft (adj) means giving way easily under pressure; not hard or firm. Example: “The bread was still soft and warm from the oven.”
adj
1
Giving way easily under pressure; not hard or firm.
"The bread was still soft and warm from the oven."
"She sank into the soft cushions of the armchair."
"The puppy's fur was incredibly soft against my cheek."
2
Gentle, mild, or quiet, rather than harsh or intense.
"He spoke in a soft voice so as not to wake the baby."
"A soft light glowed from the lamp beside the bed."
"The music was soft and slow, perfect for a quiet evening."
3
Lenient or lacking firmness, especially regarding rules or discipline.
"Critics say the policy is too soft on crime."
"Parents sometimes worry that being too soft with children makes them badly behaved."
"The new manager was not soft about lateness and expected everyone on time."
How to use soft
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishNot hard, harsh, or intense — used for textures, sounds, light, and even attitudes or rules.
Common mistake
When describing a lenient policy or person, "soft on" is the standard phrasing ("soft on crime").
Common pairings
soft voice
soft on crime
go soft
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Word forms
- Plural
- softs
- Comparative
- softer, more soft
- Superlative
- softest, most soft
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The bread was still _____ and warm from the oven.
Etymology
From Old English softe, from a Germanic root meaning "smooth, even, agreeable" — related to the word "same."
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for soft
See all rhymes for soft →Frequently asked questions
What does “soft” mean?
The word “soft” means giving way easily under pressure; not hard or firm. In plain terms, not hard, harsh, or intense — used for textures, sounds, light, and even attitudes or rules.
How do you pronounce “soft”?
“Soft” is pronounced soft (/sɔft/ in IPA).
How do you use “soft” in a sentence?
Here is “soft” used in a sentence: “The bread was still soft and warm from the oven.”
What is another word for “soft”?
Words with a similar meaning to “soft” include cushiony, flabby, flaccid, flexible, spongy and mellow.
What is the opposite of “soft”?
The opposite of “soft” — its antonyms — are hard, firm, resistant, solid and stony.
What part of speech is “soft”?
“Soft” is an adjective.
Where does the word “soft” come from?
The word “soft” comes from Old English. From Old English softe, from a Germanic root meaning "smooth, even, agreeable" — related to the word "same.".
Is “soft” a common word?
“Soft” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
What is the difference between soft and hard?
Soft and hard are opposites describing how a material responds to pressure. Something soft gives way easily, bending, squashing, or denting when pressed, like a pillow or clay. Something hard resists pressure and keeps its shape, like stone or metal. The line between them is relative and depends on what you compare.
What is the opposite of soft?
In the sense of firmness, the main opposite is hard, along with firm, stiff, rigid, or solid. A soft mattress yields under your weight; a firm one resists it. In other senses soft can also contrast with harsh, loud, or strong, but hard is the core opposite for texture.
What are examples of soft things?
A feather pillow, a ripe peach, fresh bread, cotton wool, a plush toy, and modelling clay are all soft, because they give way when pressed. The word also stretches to soft fabrics like velvet, and figuratively to soft sounds, soft lighting, or a gentle, soft voice.
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