soft
soft /ˈsɔft/
adjective
-
(
)
Yielding readily to pressure or weight
(
soft
)
yielding readily to pressure or weight
The soft pillow provided a comfortable night's sleep.
The soft pillow provided a comfortable night's sleep.
-
()
Compassionate and kind; conciliatory
(
soft
)
compassionate and kind; conciliatory
He was soft on his children
he was soft on his children
-
()
(of sound) relatively low in volume
(
soft
)
(of sound) relatively low in volume
Soft voices
soft voices
Soft music
soft music
-
()
Easily hurt
(
delicate
, soft
)
easily hurt
Soft hands
soft hands
A baby's delicate skin
a baby's delicate skin
-
Not brilliant or glaring
(
soft
, subdued
)
not brilliant or glaring
The moon cast soft shadows
the moon cast soft shadows
Soft pastel colors
soft pastel colors
Subdued lighting
subdued lighting
-
Mild and pleasant
(
balmy
, mild
, soft
)
mild and pleasant
Balmy days and nights
balmy days and nights
The climate was mild and conducive to life or growth
the climate was mild and conducive to life or growth
A soft breeze
a soft breeze
-
Not burdensome or demanding; borne or done easily and without hardship
(
cushy
[Informal] , easygoing
, soft
, easy-going
)
not burdensome or demanding; borne or done easily and without hardship
What a cushy job!
what a cushy job!
The easygoing life of a parttime consultant
the easygoing life of a parttime consultant
A soft job
a soft job
-
Willing to negotiate and compromise
(
soft
)
willing to negotiate and compromise
-
Out of condition; not strong or robust; incapable of exertion or endurance
(
flabby
, flaccid
, soft
)
out of condition; not strong or robust; incapable of exertion or endurance
He was too soft for the army
he was too soft for the army
Flabby around the middle
flabby around the middle
Flaccid cheeks
flaccid cheeks
-
(of speech sounds); produced with the back of the tongue raised toward the hard palate; characterized by a hissing or hushing sound (as 's' and 'sh')
(
soft
)
(of speech sounds); produced with the back of the tongue raised toward the hard palate; characterized by a hissing or hushing sound (as 's' and 'sh')
-
(of light) transmitted from a broad light source or reflected
(
diffuse
, diffused
, soft
)
(of light) transmitted from a broad light source or reflected
-
Having little impact
(
gentle
, soft
, easy
)
having little impact
An easy pat on the shoulder
an easy pat on the shoulder
Gentle rain
gentle rain
A gentle breeze
a gentle breeze
A soft (or light) tapping at the window
a soft (or light) tapping at the window
-
(used chiefly as a direction or description in music) soft; in a quiet, subdued tone
(
piano
, soft
)
(used chiefly as a direction or description in music) soft; in a quiet, subdued tone
The piano passages in the composition
the piano passages in the composition
-
Not protected against attack (especially by nuclear weapons)
(
soft
)
not protected against attack (especially by nuclear weapons)
Soft targets
soft targets
-
Soft and mild; not harsh or stern or severe
(
soft
, gentle
)
soft and mild; not harsh or stern or severe
A gentle reprimand
a gentle reprimand
A vein of gentle irony
a vein of gentle irony
Poked gentle fun at him
poked gentle fun at him
-
Tolerant or lenient
(
lenient
, soft
, indulgent
)
tolerant or lenient
Indulgent parents risk spoiling their children
indulgent parents risk spoiling their children
Too soft on the children
too soft on the children
They are soft on crime
they are soft on crime
-
Using evidence not readily amenable to experimental verification or refutation
(
soft
)
using evidence not readily amenable to experimental verification or refutation
Soft data
soft data
The soft sciences
the soft sciences
-
Produced with vibration of the vocal cords
(
soft
, sonant
, voiced
)
produced with vibration of the vocal cords
A frequently voiced opinion
a frequently voiced opinion
Voiced consonants such as b' and g' and z'
voiced consonants such as b' and g' and z'
-
(of a commodity or market or currency) falling or likely to fall in value
(
soft
)
(of a commodity or market or currency) falling or likely to fall in value
The market for computers is soft
the market for computers is soft
adverb
-
()
In a relaxed manner; or without hardship
(
easy
, soft
)
in a relaxed manner; or without hardship
Just wanted to take it easy
just wanted to take it easy
The judge went easy on the young defendant
the judge went easy on the young defendant
