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noun B2 Upper-Intermediate

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 notes

In plain EnglishHow soft, gentle, or easily-yielding something or someone is.

Common pairings
softness of the fabric softness in her tone

Word forms

softnesses plural

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Test yourself on “softness” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage

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.

Origin: Old English

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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