SOFT | English Meaning, Definition, and Pronunciation

Old English sōfte ‘agreeable, calm, gentle’, of West Germanic origin; related to Dutch zacht and German sanft

easy to mould, cut, compress, or fold; not hard or firm to the touch

easy to mould, cut or fold

• soft margarine
• the ground was soft beneath their feet

having a pleasing quality involving a subtle effect or contrast rather than sharp definition

having pleasing quality involving subtle effect or contrast rather than sharp definition

• the soft glow of the lamps
• the moon's pale light cast soft shadows

sympathetic, lenient, or compassionate, especially to a degree perceived as excessive; not strict or sufficiently strict

sympathetic

• the government is not becoming soft on crime
• Julia's soft heart was touched by his grief

(of a drink) not alcoholic.

(of drink) not alcoholic

(of a market, currency, or commodity) falling or likely to fall in value

(of market, currency, or commodity) falling or likely to fall in value

• now a new factor looms: soft oil prices
• the rouble, so soft that it buys nothing worth having

(of water) containing relatively low concentrations of dissolved calcium and magnesium salts and therefore lathering easily with soap

(of water) containing relatively low concentrations of dissolved calcium and magnesium salts

• you use only half as much soap when you clean with soft water

foolish; silly

foolish

• he must be going soft in the head

(of a consonant) pronounced as a fricative (as c in ice).

(of consonant) pronounced as fricative

in a quiet or gentle way

in quiet or gentle way

• I can just speak soft and she'll hear me

in a weak or foolish way

in weak or foolish way

• don't talk soft