/ sɒft; NAmE sɔːft/ adjective
( soft·er , soft·est )
NOT HARD
1.
changing shape easily when pressed; not stiff or firm :
soft margarine
soft feather pillows
The grass was soft and springy.
2.
less hard than average :
soft rocks such as limestone
soft cheeses
OPP hard
NOT ROUGH
3.
smooth and pleasant to touch :
soft skin
OPP rough
WITHOUT ANGLES / EDGES
4.
not having sharp angles or hard edges :
This season's fashions focus on warm tones and soft lines.
The moon's pale light cast soft shadows.
LIGHT / COLOURS
5.
[ usually before noun ] not too bright, in a way that is pleasant and relaxing to the eyes :
a soft pink
the soft glow of candlelight
OPP harsh
RAIN / WIND
6.
not strong or violent
SYN light :
A soft breeze rustled the trees.
SOUNDS
7.
not loud, and usually pleasant and gentle
SYN quiet :
soft background music
a soft voice
SYMPATHETIC
8.
kind and sympathetic; easily affected by other people's suffering :
Julia's soft heart was touched by his grief.
OPP hard
NOT STRICT
9.
soft (on sb/sth) | soft (with sb) (usually disapproving ) not strict or severe; not strict or severe enough
SYN lenient :
The government is not becoming soft on crime.
If you're too soft with these kids they'll never respect you.
OPP tough
CRAZY
10.
( informal , disapproving ) stupid or crazy :
He must be going soft in the head .
NOT BRAVE / TOUGH ENOUGH
11.
( informal , disapproving ) not brave enough; wanting to be safe and comfortable :
Stay in a hotel? Don't be so soft. I want to camp out under the stars.
TOO EASY
12.
( disapproving ) not involving much work; too easy and comfortable :
They had got too used to the soft life at home.
OPP hard
WATER
13.
not containing mineral salts and therefore good for washing :
You won't need much soap—the water here is very soft.
OPP hard
CONSONANTS
14.
( phonetics ) not sounding hard, for example 'c' in 'city' and 'g' in 'general'
OPP hard
► soft·ness noun [ U , sing. ]:
the softness of her skin
the softness of the water
—see also softly
•
IDIOMS
- have a soft spot for sb/sth
—more at option , touch noun
••
WORD ORIGIN
Old English sōfte agreeable, calm, gentle , of West Germanic origin; related to Dutch zacht and German sanft .