adj.
Pronunciation: ' so ̇ ft
Function: adjective
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English s ō fte, alteration of s ē fte; akin to Old High German semfti soft
Date: before 12th century
1 a : pleasing or agreeable to the senses : bringing ease, comfort, or quiet <the soft influences of home> b : having a bland or mellow rather than a sharp or acid taste c (1) : not bright or glaring : SUBDUED (2) : having or producing little contrast or a relatively short range of tones <a soft photographic print> d : quiet in pitch or volume e of the eyes : having a liquid or gentle appearance f : smooth or delicate in texture, grain, or fiber < soft cashmere> < soft fur> g (1) : balmy, mild, or clement in weather or temperature (2) : moving or falling with slight force or impact : not violent < soft breezes>
2 : demanding little work or effort : EASY <a soft job>
3 a : sounding as in ace and gem respectively ― used of c and g or their sound b of a consonant : VOICED c : constituting a vowel before which there is a \ y \ sound or a \ y \ -like modification of a consonant or constituting a consonant in whose articulation there is a \ y \ -like modification or which is followed by a \ y \ sound (as in Russian)
4 archaic : moving in a leisurely manner
5 : rising gradually <a soft slope>
6 : having curved or rounded outline : not harsh or jagged < soft hills against the horizon>
7 : marked by a gentleness, kindness, or tenderness: as a (1) : not harsh or onerous in character <a policy of soft competition> (2) : based on negotiation, conciliation, or flexibility rather than on force, threats, or intransigence <took a soft line during the crisis> (3) : tending to take a soft line ― usually used with on < soft on dictators> < soft on law and order> b : tending to ingratiate or disarm : ENGAGING , KIND <a soft answer turns away wrath ― Prov 15:1(RSV)> c : marked by mildness : UNASSUMING , LOW-KEY
8 a : emotionally suggestible or responsive : IMPRESSIONABLE b : unduly susceptible to influence : COMPLIANT c : lacking firmness or strength of character : FEEBLE , UNMANLY d : amorously attracted or emotionally involved ― used with on <has been soft on her for years>
9 a : lacking robust strength, stamina, or endurance especially because of living in ease or luxury <grown soft and indolent> b : weak or deficient mentally < soft in the head>
10 a : yielding to physical pressure b : permitting someone or something to sink in ― used of wet ground c (1) : of a consistency that may be shaped or molded (2) : capable of being spread d : easily magnetized and demagnetized e : lacking relatively or comparatively in hardness < soft iron>
11 : deficient in or free from substances (as calcium and magnesium salts) that prevent lathering of soap < soft water>
12 : having relatively low energy < soft X-rays>
13 of news : relatively less serious or significant
14 : occurring at such a speed and under such circumstances as to avoid destructive impact < soft landing of a spacecraft on the moon>
15 : not protected against enemy attack <a soft aboveground launching site> < soft targets>
16 : BIODEGRADABLE <a soft detergent> < soft pesticides>
17 of a drug : considered less detrimental than a hard narcotic
18 : easily polarized ― used of acids and bases
19 a of currency : not readily convertible b of a loan : not secured by collateral
20 a : being low due to sluggish market conditions < soft prices> b : SLUGGISH , SLOW <a soft market>
21 : not firmly committed < soft unreliable political support>
22 : SOFT-CORE < soft porn>
23 a : being or based on interpretive or speculative data < soft evidence> b : utilizing or based on soft data < soft science>
24 : being or using renewable sources of energy (as solar radiation, wind, or tides) < soft technologies>
25 of money : contributed (as by a corporation) to a political party rather than directly to a particular candidate
– soft · ish \ ' so ̇ f-tish \ adjective
– soft · ly \ ' so ̇ f(t)-l ē \ adverb
– soft · ness \ ' so ̇ f(t)-n ə s \ noun