First Known Use: before 12th century
Dictionary
1soft
adjective \ˈsȯft\
: easy to press, bend, cut, etc. : not hard or firm
: smooth and pleasant to touch
: having a very light color : not strong or bright in color or tone
Full Definition of SOFT
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 — Proverbs 15:1(Revised Standard Version)> 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
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 \ˈsȯf-tish\ adjective
— soft·ly \ˈsȯf(t)-lē\ adverb
— soft·ness \ˈsȯf(t)-nəs\ noun
See soft defined for English-language learners
See soft defined for kids
Origin of SOFT
Middle English, from Old English sōfte, alteration of sēfte; akin to Old High German semfti soft
Related to SOFT
- Antonyms
- blaring, blasting, booming, clamorous, clangorous, deafening, earsplitting, loud, overloud, piercing, plangent, resounding, ringing, roaring, sonorous, stentorian, thundering, thunderous
2soft
adverb
: in a soft or gentle way
: in a way that is not strong or forceful
Full Definition of SOFT
: in a soft or gentle manner : softly
See soft defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of SOFT
before 12th century
3soft
noun
Definition of SOFT
: a soft object, material, or part <the soft of the thumb>
First Known Use of SOFT
15th century
SOFTNESS Defined for Kids
1soft
adjective \ˈsȯft\
soft·ersoft·est
Definition of SOFT for Kids
1
: not hard, solid, or firm <a soft mattress>
2
: smooth or pleasant to touch <a soft silk>
3
: having a soothing or comfortable effect : not bright or glaring <soft lights> <soft colors>
4
: quiet in pitch or volume <soft voices>
5
: not strong or forceful : gentle <soft breezes> <a soft touch>
6
: involving little work or effort : easy <a soft job>
7
: sounding like the letter c in ace or the letter g in gem
8
: easily affected by emotions : sympathetic and kind <a soft heart>
9
: lacking in strength or fitness <He had grown soft from good living.>
10
: free from substances that prevent lathering of soap <soft water>
11
: not containing alcohol <soft drinks>
— soft·ness noun
2soft
adverb
softersoftest
Definition of SOFT for Kids
: softly <You hit the ball too soft.>
Medical Dictionary
soft
adjective \ˈsȯft\
Medical Definition of SOFT
1
: yielding to physical pressure
2
: deficient in or free from substances (as calcium and magnesium salts) that prevent lathering of soap <soft water>
3
: having relatively low energy <soft X-rays>
4
: biodegradable <soft pesticides>
5
of a drug : considered less detrimental than a hard narcotic <marijuana is usually regarded as a soft drug>
6
: easily polarized—used of acids and bases
7
a : being or based on interpretive or speculative data <soft evidence> b : utilizing or based on soft data <soft science>
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