soft

¹soft

adjective \ˈsȯft\

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

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 \ˈsȯf-tish\ adjective

— soft·ly \ˈsȯf(t)-lē\ adverb

— soft·ness \ˈsȯf(t)-nəs\ noun

Examples of SOFT

1. The ground was soft after the heavy rain.
2. Iron and lead are soft metals.
3. The rabbit's fur is soft.
4. The room was painted in soft pink.
5. the soft glow of the moon

Origin of SOFT

Middle English, from Old English sōfte, alteration of sēfte; akin to Old High German semfti soft

First Known Use: before 12th century

Related to SOFT

Synonyms

dull, gentle, low, quiet

Antonyms

blaring, blasting, booming, clamorous, clangorous, deafening, earsplitting, loud, overloud, piercing, plangent, resounding, ringing, roaring, sonorous, stentorian, thundering, thunderous

Related Words

dead, silent, still; calm, dreamy, hushed, peaceful, restful, serene, soothing, stilly, tranquil; muffled, muted, softened, toned (down)

Near Antonyms

brazen, crashing, dinning, discordant, noisy, obstreperous, raucous, rip-roaring, vociferous; grating, harsh, shrill, squealing, strident; clarion, clear, trumpetlike

Rhymes with SOFT

croft, loft, oft, toft

²soft

adverb

Definition of SOFT

: in a soft or gentle manner : softly

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

soft

adjective \ˈsȯft\   (Medical Dictionary)

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>