softness
SOFT-nuhs
Softness (noun) means the quality of being soft, gentle, or yielding to pressure. Example: “The softness of the mattress made it hard to get out of bed.”
noun
1
The quality of being soft, gentle, or yielding to pressure.
"The softness of the mattress made it hard to get out of bed."
"There was a softness in her voice that put him at ease."
How to use softness
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishHow soft, gentle, or easily-yielding something or someone is.
Common pairings
softness of the fabric
softness in her tone
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Word forms
- Plural
- softnesses
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The _____ of the mattress made it hard to get out of bed.
Etymology
From Old English sōftnes, built from soft plus -ness.
Synonyms
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gentleness
mildness
unfitness
balminess
fogginess
fuzziness
blurriness
indistinctness
sissiness
unmanliness
effeminacy
effeminateness
Antonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “softness” mean?
The word “softness” means the quality of being soft, gentle, or yielding to pressure. In plain terms, how soft, gentle, or easily-yielding something or someone is.
How do you pronounce “softness”?
“Softness” is pronounced SOFT-nuhs (/ˈsɔftnəs/ in IPA).
How do you use “softness” in a sentence?
Here is “softness” used in a sentence: “The softness of the mattress made it hard to get out of bed.”
What is the opposite of “softness”?
The opposite of “softness” — its antonyms — is hardness.
What part of speech is “softness”?
“Softness” is a noun.
Where does the word “softness” come from?
The word “softness” comes from Old English. From Old English sōftnes, built from soft plus -ness.
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