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
Alesandra Dubin, Travel + Leisure, 23 Sep. 2023
The curls created by this iron were soft and silky and stayed for days.
—Enjanae' Taylor, Southern Living, 22 Sep. 2023
This one is made from soft, full-aniline leather and comes in two shades: tan and brown.
—Michelle Rostamian, Peoplemag, 22 Sep. 2023
Pair it with crisp white bedding, a soft upholstered headboard, rich woods, and uncomplicated silhouettes.
—Maria Sabella, Better Homes & Gardens, 22 Sep. 2023
And while certain Republican politicians may not care that Orbán and company are making things more difficult for NATO and Ukraine, Fidesz is also taking a softer, more cooperative approach toward another country, one that its Republican allies see as a clear foe: China.
—Emily Tamkin, The New Republic, 22 Sep. 2023
For that reason, Dr. Gohara and Dr. Pomerantz suggest folks with sensitive skin either skip the practice altogether or at least opt for gentler alternatives, like a brush with softer fibers or even a washcloth.
—Jenn Sinrich, SELF, 22 Sep. 2023
These mosaic-like pictures also incorporate ink and paint, so that soft flows abut hard edges.
—Mark Jenkins, Washington Post, 22 Sep. 2023
Quality rugs often have a dense, plush, and soft feel.
—Carrie Honaker, Southern Living, 11 Sep. 2023
See More
Adjective
The insides are super soft and equipped with long-pile cushioning for extra support and coziness.
—Alesandra Dubin, Travel + Leisure, 23 Sep. 2023
The curls created by this iron were soft and silky and stayed for days.
—Enjanae' Taylor, Southern Living, 22 Sep. 2023
This one is made from soft, full-aniline leather and comes in two shades: tan and brown.
—Michelle Rostamian, Peoplemag, 22 Sep. 2023
Pair it with crisp white bedding, a soft upholstered headboard, rich woods, and uncomplicated silhouettes.
—Maria Sabella, Better Homes & Gardens, 22 Sep. 2023
And while certain Republican politicians may not care that Orbán and company are making things more difficult for NATO and Ukraine, Fidesz is also taking a softer, more cooperative approach toward another country, one that its Republican allies see as a clear foe: China.
—Emily Tamkin, The New Republic, 22 Sep. 2023
For that reason, Dr. Gohara and Dr. Pomerantz suggest folks with sensitive skin either skip the practice altogether or at least opt for gentler alternatives, like a brush with softer fibers or even a washcloth.
—Jenn Sinrich, SELF, 22 Sep. 2023
These mosaic-like pictures also incorporate ink and paint, so that soft flows abut hard edges.
—Mark Jenkins, Washington Post, 22 Sep. 2023
Quality rugs often have a dense, plush, and soft feel.
—Carrie Honaker, Southern Living, 11 Sep. 2023
See More
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.
Word History
Etymology
Adjective
Middle English, from Old English sōfte, alteration of sēfte; akin to Old High German semfti soft
First Known Use
Adjective
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Adverb
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above
Noun
15th century, in the meaning defined above
Time Traveler
The first known use of soft was
before the 12th century
Phrases Containing soft
Dictionary Entries Near soft
Cite this Entry
“Soft.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/soft. Accessed 26 Sep. 2023.
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Kids 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
More from Merriam-Webster on soft
Nglish: Translation of soft for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of soft for Arabic Speakers
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