soft
/sɔft/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
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.
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
- not brilliant or glaring
- the moon cast soft shadows
- soft pastel colors
- subdued lighting
- mild and pleasant
- balmy days and nights
- the climate was mild and conducive to life or growth
- a soft breeze
- 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
- willing to negotiate and compromise
- 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
- having little impact
- an easy pat on the shoulder
- gentle rain
- a gentle breeze
- a soft (or light) tapping at the window
- soft and mild; not harsh or stern or severe
- a gentle reprimand
- a vein of gentle irony
- poked gentle fun at him
- tolerant or lenient
- indulgent parents risk spoiling their children
- too soft on the children
- they are soft on crime
- using evidence not readily amenable to experimental verification or refutation
- soft data
- the soft sciences
- (of a commodity or market or currency) falling or likely to fall in value
- the market for computers is soft
- (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')
- (of light) transmitted from a broad light source or reflected
- used chiefly as a direction or description in music
- the piano passages in the composition
- not protected against attack (especially by nuclear weapons)
- soft targets
- produced with vibration of the vocal cords;
- a frequently voiced opinion
- voiced consonants such as `b' and `g' and `z'
- easily hurt
- soft hands
- a baby's delicate skin
- (of sound) relatively low in volume
- soft voices
- soft music
- compassionate and kind; conciliatory
- he was soft on his children
- yielding readily to pressure or weight
Adverb
- in a relaxed manner; or without hardship
- just wanted to take it easy (`soft' is nonstandard)