soft-focus

adjective

soft-fo·​cus ˈsȯf(t)-ˈfō-kəs 

1

of a photographic image : having unsharp outlines

2

of a lens : producing an image having unsharp outlines

Examples of soft-focus in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The illuminating skin tint instantly blurs and brightens my complexion and leaves behind a soft-focus glow—almost as if my skin were an IRL filter. —Alyssa Morin, InStyle, 20 Feb. 2026

The milky tone acts like a soft-focus filter for the nails—everything instantly looks more polished. —Lina-Marie Baatz, Glamour, 20 Feb. 2026

Mia Goth and Charli XCX, for example, have been rocking the look thanks to celebrity makeup artist Nina Park who imparted a soft-focus finish via blurred lips, diffused blush, filter-like concealers. —Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 6 Feb. 2026

Designed to work across a wide range of skin tones, the translucent pigments deliver a soft-focus glow while ingredients like arnica flower extract help calm puffiness, squalene replenishes hydration, and caffeine tightens and depuffs. —Nicol Natale, PEOPLE, 5 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1911, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for soft-focus

• defocus
• refocus
• autofocus
• crocus
• focus
• hocus
• locus