soft meaning and definition

SOFT adjective

Definition of soft (adjective)

1. yielding readily to pressure or weight
   • antonym: hard
2. compassionate and kind; conciliatory
   • "he was soft on his children"
   • antonym: hard
3. (of sound) relatively low in volume
   • "soft voices"; "soft music"
   • antonym: loud
4. easily hurt
   • "soft hands"; "a baby's delicate skin"
   • synonyms: delicate
5. produced with vibration of the vocal cords
   • "a frequently voiced opinion"; "voiced consonants such as `b' and `g' and `z'";
   • synonyms: sonant, voiced
   • antonym: hard
6. not protected against attack (especially by nuclear weapons)
   • "soft targets"
   • antonym: hardened
7. used chiefly as a direction or description in music
   • "the piano passages in the composition"
   • synonyms: piano
   • antonym: forte
8. (of light) transmitted from a broad light source or reflected
   • synonyms: diffuse, diffused
   • antonym: concentrated
9. (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')
   • antonym: hard
10. (of a commodity or market or currency) falling or likely to fall in value
    • "the market for computers is soft"
11. using evidence not readily amenable to experimental verification or refutation
    • "soft data"; "the soft sciences"
12. tolerant or lenient
    • "indulgent parents risk spoiling their children"; "too soft on the children"; "they are soft on crime"
    • synonyms: indulgent, lenient
13. soft and mild; not harsh or stern or severe
    • "a gentle reprimand"; "a vein of gentle irony"; "poked gentle fun at him"
    • synonyms: gentle
14. having little impact
    • "an easy pat on the shoulder"; "gentle rain"; "a gentle breeze"; "a soft (or light) tapping at the window"
    • synonyms: easy, gentle
15. 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"
    • synonyms: flabby, flaccid
16. willing to negotiate and compromise
17. 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"
    • synonyms: cushy, easygoing
18. mild and pleasant
    • "balmy days and nights"; "the climate was mild and conducive to life or growth"; "a soft breeze"
    • synonyms: balmy, mild
19. not brilliant or glaring
    • "the moon cast soft shadows"; "soft pastel colors"; "subdued lighting"
    • synonyms: subdued

SOFT adverb

Definition of soft (adverb)

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