Definition

1. Adjective:

   • Not hard or firm; easily yielding to pressure or touch: Describing a physical substance that can be easily compressed, shaped, or cut.
   • Gentle, mild, or subdued: Referring to something that is not harsh, intense, or severe in its qualities, such as sound, light, color, or manner.
   • Compassionate, kind, or lenient: Describing a person's character or attitude as sympathetic, tender, or not strict.
   • Weak or lacking in strength or resilience: Referring to a person who is physically unfit, lacking endurance, or easily influenced.
   • (Of a market or currency) Having low demand or declining value: Used in economics to describe a situation where prices are falling or activity is low.
   • (Of a consonant) Voiced: In phonetics, describing a speech sound produced with vibration of the vocal cords (e.g., /b/, /d/, /g/).
   • (Of water) Free from mineral salts: Describing water that lathers easily with soap because it contains few calcium or magnesium ions.

2. Adverb (Nonstandard):

   • In a gentle, quiet, or easy manner: Used informally to mean "gently" or "without hardship."

Examples of Usage

• Adjective:

  • She slept on a soft pillow. (Describing a physical object)
  • The room was lit by the soft glow of a lamp. (Describing gentle light)
  • He has a soft heart and always helps others. (Describing a kind character)
  • After months without training, his muscles became soft. (Describing physical weakness)
  • The housing market has been soft this quarter. (Describing economic condition)
  • The letter 'g' in 'gin' is a soft consonant. (Describing a phonetic quality)
  • We have soft water, so we don't need a water softener. (Describing water quality)

• Adverb:

  • Take it soft; there's no need to rush. (Used informally to mean "gently" or "easily")

Advanced Usage

• "Soft target": A person, place, or thing that is relatively unprotected and vulnerable to attack.

  • The school was considered a soft target for the terrorists.

• "Soft data": Information that is not easily quantified or verified through strict scientific methods, often used in social sciences.

  • The study relied on interviews and other forms of soft data.

• "Soft science": A field of study, such as sociology or psychology, that is considered less mathematically rigorous than the "hard sciences" like physics or chemistry.

  • He chose to major in a soft science.

Variants and Related Words

• Soften (verb): To make or become soft or softer.

  • Butter will soften if left at room temperature.

• Softly (adverb): In a soft manner.

  • She spoke softly to the child.

• Softness (noun): The quality or state of being soft.

  • The softness of the fabric was remarkable.

Synonyms

• Gentle: Mild or moderate in force, degree, or effect.
• Pliable: Easily bent or shaped.
• Lenient: Merciful or tolerant, especially toward offenders.
• Muted: (Of sound or color) Subdued or softened.
• Tender: Showing gentleness, kindness, and affection.

Related Phrasal Verbs/Phrases

• Soft-pedal: To make something seem less important or serious; to downplay.

  • The company tried to soft-pedal the negative news.

• Soft-soap (verb, informal): To flatter or coax someone, often in an insincere way.

  • He tried to soft-soap his boss into giving him a raise.

Related Idioms

• A soft touch: A person who is easily persuaded or exploited, especially to give or lend money.

  • He's known as a soft touch; everyone asks him for loans.

• Soft in the head (informal): Foolish or silly.

  • You must be soft in the head to believe that story.

• Have a soft spot for someone/something: To feel particular affection or sympathy for someone or something.

  • I've always had a soft spot for stray animals.

Adjective

1. not brilliant or glaring
   • the moon cast soft shadows
   • soft pastel colors
   • subdued lighting
2. mild and pleasant
   • balmy days and nights
   • the climate was mild and conducive to life or growth
   • a soft breeze
3. not burdensome or demanding; borne or done easily and without hardship
   • what a cushy job!
   • the easygoing life of a parttime consultant
   • a soft job
4. willing to negotiate and compromise
5. out of condition; not strong or robust; incapable of exertion or endurance
   • he was too soft for the army
   • flabby around the middle
   • flaccid cheeks
6. having little impact
   • an easy pat on the shoulder
   • gentle rain
   • a gentle breeze
   • a soft (or light) tapping at the window
7. soft and mild; not harsh or stern or severe
   • a gentle reprimand
   • a vein of gentle irony
   • poked gentle fun at him
8. tolerant or lenient
   • indulgent parents risk spoiling their children
   • too soft on the children
   • they are soft on crime
9. using evidence not readily amenable to experimental verification or refutation
   • soft data
   • the soft sciences
10. (of a commodity or market or currency) falling or likely to fall in value
    • the market for computers is soft
11. (of speech sounds); produced with the back of the tongue raised toward the hard palate; characterized by a hissing or hushing sound (as `s' and `sh')
12. (of light) transmitted from a broad light source or reflected
13. used chiefly as a direction or description in music
    • the piano passages in the composition
14. not protected against attack (especially by nuclear weapons)
    • soft targets
15. produced with vibration of the vocal cords;
    • a frequently voiced opinion
    • voiced consonants such as `b' and `g' and `z'
16. easily hurt
    • soft hands
    • a baby's delicate skin
17. (of sound) relatively low in volume
    • soft voices
    • soft music
18. compassionate and kind; conciliatory
    • he was soft on his children
19. yielding readily to pressure or weight

Adverb

1. in a relaxed manner; or without hardship
   • just wanted to take it easy (`soft' is nonstandard)