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: such 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
c
: marked by mildness : unassuming, low-key entry 1
8
a
: emotionally suggestible or responsive : impressionable
b
: unduly susceptible to influence : compliant
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 (such 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 (such 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
: a soft object, material, or part
the soft of the thumb
Synonyms
Examples of soft in a Sentence
Adjective
The ground was soft after the heavy rain.
Iron and lead are soft metals.
The room was painted in soft pink.
the soft glow of the moon
Recent Examples on the Web
Isabel Garcia, Peoplemag, 18 Apr. 2024
According to Werner, the best mattress topper for side sleepers is soft enough to support you but not too soft.
—Sharon Brandwein, Southern Living, 18 Apr. 2024
When mast, both hard and soft, suddenly becomes available, turkeys are going to find and key in on it.
—Will Brantley, Field & Stream, 17 Apr. 2024
Their texture changes based on water temperature, staying firm in cold water for deep scrubbing and becoming soft in warm water for gentle wiping.
—Jenna Ryu, SELF, 17 Apr. 2024
But a soft whump ends the argument when Vance is shot in the back and collapses into Jared’s arms.
—Sara Netzley, EW.com, 16 Apr. 2024
Backgrounds look soft with few distractions in most instances, though a more characterful, busy look emerges for scenes with bright specular highlights.
—PCMAG, 16 Apr. 2024
How to Clean Outdoor Lights Remove the lightbulb from the fixture, thoroughly wipe with a soft, damp cloth and dry with a dry, soft cloth for improved brightness.
—USA TODAY, 14 Apr. 2024
Plus, the soft mat is a comfy place to set your tot down, while the more structured frame is designed to last.
—Maya Polton, Parents, 6 Apr. 2024
Adjective
It’s made of a textured material that’s durable and soft to the touch.
—Isabel Garcia, Peoplemag, 18 Apr. 2024
According to Werner, the best mattress topper for side sleepers is soft enough to support you but not too soft.
—Sharon Brandwein, Southern Living, 18 Apr. 2024
When mast, both hard and soft, suddenly becomes available, turkeys are going to find and key in on it.
—Will Brantley, Field & Stream, 17 Apr. 2024
Their texture changes based on water temperature, staying firm in cold water for deep scrubbing and becoming soft in warm water for gentle wiping.
—Jenna Ryu, SELF, 17 Apr. 2024
But a soft whump ends the argument when Vance is shot in the back and collapses into Jared’s arms.
—Sara Netzley, EW.com, 16 Apr. 2024
Backgrounds look soft with few distractions in most instances, though a more characterful, busy look emerges for scenes with bright specular highlights.
—PCMAG, 16 Apr. 2024
How to Clean Outdoor Lights Remove the lightbulb from the fixture, thoroughly wipe with a soft, damp cloth and dry with a dry, soft cloth for improved brightness.
—USA TODAY, 14 Apr. 2024
Plus, the soft mat is a comfy place to set your tot down, while the more structured frame is designed to last.
—Maya Polton, Parents, 6 Apr. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'soft.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near soft
Cite this Entry
“Soft.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/soft. Accessed 23 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
soft
1 of 2 adjective1
2
: demanding little effort : easy
a soft job
3
: sounding as in ace and gem
—used of c and g
4
: gently or gradually curved or rounded : not harsh or jagged
soft hills
5
a
: having a mild gentle disposition : docile
b
: showing sympathetic understanding
took a soft stand toward the rebels
6
: lacking in strength : feeble
soft from easy living
7
: mentally weak
8
a
: yielding to physical pressure
a soft mattress
soft metals such as lead
b
: not as hard as others of its kind
9
: free from substances (as calcium and magnesium salts) that prevent lathering of soap
soft water
10
: occurring at such a speed and in such a way that a destructive crash is avoided
a soft landing on the moon
softly
adverb
soft
2 of 2 adverb
: in a soft manner
Medical Definition
soft
adjective1
: 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share