softer; softest
1
: easy to press, bend, cut, etc. : not hard or firm
a soft mattress
soft cheese/dough
The ground was soft after the heavy rain.
Iron and lead are soft metals.
2
: smooth and pleasant to touch
soft skin
a soft silk
3
a
: having a very light color : not strong or bright in color or tone
soft colors
The room was painted in soft pink.
soft blues
b
of light
: not bright or harsh
soft lighting [=lighting that is not too bright]
the soft glow of the moon
4
a
: gentle in manner : not harsh
He has a soft touch.
She gave him a soft kiss on the cheek.
We decided to take a softer approach in disciplining the children.
b
: not strong or very forceful
a soft [=mild, gentle] breeze
A soft [=light] rain fell.
c
: having a low, gentle sound
a soft voice
5
: having a curved or rounded outline
soft rolling hills
a sweater with soft shoulder lines
6
disapproving
: not strict, harsh, or critical enough
The students thought their teacher was soft.
You're too soft with your children.
—often + onSome people accuse the mayor of being soft on crime.
7
: involving little work or effort : easy
He has a pretty soft job.
a soft life
(chiefly Brit) Police insisted that community service work was not a soft option.
8
a
: not physically strong : not muscular
He had grown soft from years of inactivity.
b
: not brave or tough
He used to be tough, but he has gone/gotten soft in his old age.
9
: feeling sympathy for other people : sympathetic and kind
He has a soft heart.
10
: relating to matters that are not serious or important
soft news stories
11
of an illegal drug
: not as strong or harmful to the health as other drugs
Marijuana is a soft drug.
12
of water
: not containing many minerals and able to make bubbles with soap
soft water
13
: sounding like the "c" in "ace" or the "g" in "gem"
The "c" in "cell" is soft, but the "c" in "cabbage" is hard.
the soft "g" in "general"
softer; softest
chiefly US
1
: in a soft or gentle way
She kissed him soft [=(more commonly) softly] on the lips.
Can you please talk softer? [=more softly]
2
: in a way that is not strong or forceful
He hit the ball soft. [=(more commonly) softly]
a soft-hit ball
Cite this Entry
“Soft.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/soft. Accessed 14 Apr. 2026.
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