1Easy to mold, cut, compress, or fold; not hard or firm to the touch.

1. 1.1 Having a smooth surface or texture that is pleasant to touch; not rough or coarse.
   soft crushed velvet

   her hair felt very soft

   Example sentencesExamples

   • His rough callused hand moved slowly to her soft, smooth arm.
   • The husband of one of my friends tried this and said it fulfilled its promise of leaving his skin smooth and soft after shaving.
   • The hands weren't the gravely and rough kind or soft and furry like all of the monsters that I knew of.
   • It is also non-staining, acts as an insect repellent, and has excellent moisturising properties too-- and leaves the skin feeling soft and smooth.
   • Derek pulled her into a hug, gently stroking her soft, smooth hair.
   • Both the parfait and the white chocolate sauce had a wonderful soft texture, making it feel like I was eating the finest silk.
   • They captured the glossy surfaces of fruit and fish, and the soft textures of velvet and lace.
   • He put his arm around me, and I around him, noting the super soft texture of his suede jacket.
   • But her oval hands stayed soft, smooth and delicate white.
   • And after all that scrubbing the surface is silky soft and touchy-feely right now.
   • Kathleen stared down at the pile of clothe that he rested on her stretched out hands; it felt so soft beneath her touch.
   • His hands were rough and weathered against her smooth, soft skin, but he was gentle when binding the shoulder wound.
   • Create suds in a bowl and apply the suds to the leather surface with a soft cloth or sponge.
   • Instead of scaly skin, most had smooth, soft, and most of all furry skin.
   • Her skin was lightly tanned and looked as smooth and as soft as velvet.
   • The very mention of ‘silk’ conjures up a soft, smooth and shimmering fabric.
   • Bending he lightly touched her hair, soft beneath his fingers, and bent to press a kiss to the corner of her mouth.
   • Slip on one of her soft, smooth, silky pieces and you'll immediately realize why they're so popular.
   • His lips were soft and silky smooth, and he tasted of cinnamon and cream.
   • You'll often find boudoir pillows in soft, smooth satin, rich velvet, lace, crochet covers and more.

   Synonyms

   velvety, smooth, cushiony, fleecy, downy, leathery, furry, silky, silken, satiny, suede-effect
2. 1.2 Rounded; not angular.
   the soft edges of their adobe home

   Example sentencesExamples

   • Janssen, though beautiful, has no soft edges - her face is angular, her nose sharp, her amazing figure more sculpted than curved.
   • This particular form of tailoring is tight and tiny, cut with soft, rounded shoulders, open necklines and small waists which are sometimes belted.
   • His features where rounded soft, as if baby fat had never been burnt off his figure.
   • One shape should be sharp, angular and synthetic, while the other is soft, rounded and biomorphic.
   • Rubbed wood works nicely as does the use of moulding with soft, rounded corners.
   • Her body seemed to blur then reform itself, changing from an angular, inhuman shape to the soft roundness of a human child.
   • We looked at Raphael's use of the tondo format and how he echoed this circular shape in the soft rounded forms of his Madonnas.
   • Throughout the house, the original whitewashed walls have soft rounded corners and are offset by pale blue windows and doors.
   • Built in the nineteenth century, the building was all soft edges and warm charm.

2Having a pleasing quality involving a subtle effect or contrast rather than sharp definition.

1. 2.1 (of a voice or sound) quiet and gentle.
   they spoke in soft whispers

   Example sentencesExamples

   • He followed the sounds of Nina's soft voice into the kitchen and watched her at work.
   • All she could hear was Dominic's gentle breathing and the soft sound of the snow falling.
   • The mysterious sounds, the soft voices - I enjoy the silent solitude of the night.
   • Violinist then starts to play a rather soft melody - more like a waltzing melody to me.
   • It had a soft, lilting quality to it, like somebody whose mother made them practice singing constantly.
   • Her voice was soft and sounded so far away, but as always, it was enough.
   • No response, only a soft laughter and the sound of two voices talking.
   • She sang in soft, smoothing volumes, that did not seem to rise above a roar yet filled the entire room with the sweet essence of her voice.
   • Soon enough, the soft sound of footsteps gave way to hushed voices.
   • He was a big man with a soft voice, the sound of the northlands of Roscommon in his western rural accent.
   • Tyls was in the room above them, so Alexis could easily sense how nervous he was by the soft pacing that her sharp ears picked up.
   • Blair's ears pricked at the sound of soft footfalls echoing in the distance.
   • Where Kumar was flamboyant and loud, Natarajan was subtle, soft.
   • Human speech flowed like bubbling liquid from his lips, reassuringly soft with no aggressive edge to it.
   • The lake was a peaceful sight, with a few reeds along the edge, and the soft hum of cicadas around it.
   • He moved out into the hall as her soft voice sounded behind him, even quieter than usual, as if she were talking to only herself.
   • About half an hour later we had another quiet dinner, the soft clank of utensils the only sound in the stillness.
   • A gentle hand brushed across her forehead and a soft voice whispered soothingly into her ear.
   • Her eyes snapped open as there was a soft, yet sharp, knock on the door.
   • She takes the ice chips, dropping them into the goblet; the soft clicks sounding like bells.

   Synonyms

   quiet, low, faint, muted, subdued, muffled, hushed, quietened, whispered, stifled, murmured, gentle, dulcet, indistinct, inaudible
2. 2.2 (of rain, wind, or other natural force) not strong or violent.
   a soft breeze rustled the trees

   Example sentencesExamples

   • The school's dark shape suddenly appeared through the mist of soft rain that had begun to fall.
   • She stared at the surroundings and a soft breeze started to blow.
   • She felt a soft breeze, seeming to pervade her with comfort and love.
   • The wind's temper gradually drifted away until there was nothing left but a soft breeze.
   • A soft breeze caressed flowers and leaves, sometimes making the branches shiver.
   • A soft, cold breeze came against my face and the floor creaked as I moved.
   • She was pleased by the soft wind that caressed her bare neck and toyed with her hair.
   • The weather was fantastic, velvety warm, with a nice soft breeze.
   • The day was just too beautiful; the air crisp and fresh, the leaves swaying lightly in the soft breeze ahead.
   • The breeze was soft and crisp making the air so cold I could feel my fingers cringe.
   • And, other than that, it's been a quiet Spring day, overcast and with a soft rain on and off throughout.
   • He let his eyes wander to the world outside - the dark clouds, the soft rain, soaking everything in its path.
   • I awoke to the sound of soft rain drumming the roof, a sound I will no longer hear in a few days…
   • The February sun tugged at the clouds and a soft breeze blew chilly.
   • There was no wind, and a soft rain fell gently from the unbroken cloud.
   • Natalie lay on her bed; a soft breeze rustled the fabric curtains and her dirty blonde hair.
   • By the time the corner in the road came into view, there was only a soft drizzle.
   • Walking through the woods in Northern Ireland on a clear blue day, Alex smiled at the soft breeze that ruffled his hair.
   • They stayed like that for what seemed like hours as the rain let up, turning into a soft drizzle.
   • She smiled and stretched out on her bench, relaxing in the soft breeze.

   Synonyms

   gentle, light, mild, moderate, calm, balmy, delicate, zephyr-like

3Sympathetic, lenient, or compassionate, especially to a degree perceived as excessive; not strict or sufficiently strict.

1. 3.1 (of words or language) not harsh or angry; conciliatory; soothing.
   he was no good with soft words, gentle phrases

   Example sentencesExamples

   • For so she is, this High Priestess of Rennon who came to me, all smiles and soft, tender words, and tried to persuade me to her side.
   • How can he make someone believe that a soft word from him means everything is perfect?
   • The words were soft and tender, and it touched me even more since these were the words I'd been waiting to hear.
   • And his soft words, gentle manners and intense feelings win you over.
   • He approaches the alien with his hands up and with soft words, explains to the alien that he means no harm and welcomes the creature.
   • With one quick glance he can tell when you're at the end of your rope but with his gentle smile and soft caring words he can always help restore your hope.
   • She made her way to the stairs, setting her hand on the railing as she made her way down, soft words reaching her ears.
   • Although the words were soft, they had a tone to them that threatened the man.
   • The soft words sparked something inside of Katherine and she rose heatedly from her chair.
   • The soft words made him look down at the bowed head of the man he had come to care so much for.
   • When she spoke, her words were soft and soothing, and calmed him of his nervousness.
   • He spoke soft words and the girls seemed to relax, giving Abe's men wary glances.
   • My parents gave me their soft words and thinking it was best they left my room.
   • The words were soft and magical in the air, commanding me to agree with him.
   • Sir Irwin held him down gently, soothing him with soft words and petting him.
   • They react even to disturbing news with a resigned smile and soft words.
   • His soft words comforted me and for awhile we just lay there on the tiny futon talking.
   • What it tries to indicate is altogether valid, but the word is too soft to do the reality justice.
   • His soft words lingered in my ears for longer than was natural.
   • The soft words calmed Sabriel completely, and as her breathing became even again she could feel a faint touch of her old confidence.

   Synonyms

   kind, gentle, mild, sympathetic, soothing, tender, sensitive, affectionate, loving, warm, warm-hearted, sweet, sentimental, mushy, romantic
2. 3.2 (of news or other journalism) regarded more as entertainment than as basic news.
   fashion is regarded as soft news

   Example sentencesExamples

   • As coverage of child care takes priority over coverage of city hall, the distinction between hard news and soft news will blur.
   • Out of this morass arose tabloid TV and soft news magazines, easy on both the budgets and ratings.
   • These stories are found in numerous newspaper style sections and in soft magazine features.
   • I prefer now to enjoy entertainment or soft news rather than to pay serious attention to serious issues.
   • Neither is this to imply that media outlets shouldn't ever run soft science news.
   • Should a critic drop her defences in the face of soft journalism, thumbnail description and popular explanation?
   • If it could sell the paper at Rs.12, it could afford to pander less to media planners who decide how soft today's journalism should be.
   • I guess one should not be churlish about soft journalism, it does its bit to spread happiness and light.
   • And the news itself should be lighter and more digestible: short cycles, interspersed with a lot of soft news.
3. 3.3 Willing to compromise in political matters; moderate.
   candidates ranging from far right to soft left

   Example sentencesExamples

   • The politics of the Plural Left was soft compromise politics.
   • Although the bill looks quite good on the face of it and is a little tougher than the current legislation, that legislation is inherently soft.
   • It's a soft way of introducing currency controls, which would otherwise be politically unpopular.
   • Socialist convictions have become soft or mellow or something worse.
   • Critics say the new government's soft policy towards militants has led to the spate of attacks in the past three days.
   • He basically felt that the Provisional Government was too soft and that it should go.
   • In other respects, Beijing's political influence and soft power abroad are comparably limited.
   • This story has a disturbing undercurrent that our soft policies allow to happen.
   • So it is a soft amendment, saying that at least the commission should have to consult.
   • Its public face tended to be dominated by soft Labour left fellow travellers.
   • Overall, we are in the presence of a preReagan Republican - a soft reactionary, not a feisty revolutionary.
   • Unfortunately, this bill is a bit too soft for us to support.
   • It has been part of his strategy to attract soft supporters which the National Front then hopes to turn into hardcore members.
   • This Government is too busy doing the photo shoots, doing the soft stuff, and pandering to the unions.
   • During the 1980s it came complete with its own Militant Tendency, soft left and right wing leadership.
   • Qualifications obviously help but it is the soft skills that often matter.
   • After all it's the soft vote that matters during a campaign - the people who could go either way, or no way at all.
   • Present your candidate with scenarios that would require the use of soft skills, and see what the candidate says.
   • The general public of New Zealand contains some who might be soft Tories.
4. 3.4 Not strong or robust.
   soft, out-of-shape executives in a computer company

   Example sentencesExamples

   • Possessed of many virtues, in most ways a grown-up, she is soft at the center, a pushover.
   • I'm too soft, and constantly at war with myself for not standing up for myself.
   • And we who have never had to face a world war, we who have got soft, living beyond our means, need to remember them.
   • He could see them all in the mirror, looking funnily at each other, and he didn't want them to think he was soft.
   • They faced famine, and they had grown soft from easy living.
   • Relying too heavily on outside sources of strength will just make you soft and weak.
   • He may be fat, but he is not soft, not stupid, not lazy, he knows his business and he probably doesn't have patience for idiocy.
   • Shaw deplored revolution, and not because he was soft.
   • I am soft, centre, wishy-washy new labour and ashamed of it.
   • People are being raised to be soft and stupid, and I think it is really about slowly wiping out dissidence and uniqueness in the culture, I really do.
   • The rep the Spurs have over the years of being a little soft has to fall on the shoulders of Duncan and Robinson.
   • While some sought to show themselves as too soft and weak for battle in order to avoid call-up, others took pride in a fighting heritage.
   • The Wasps might have proved yesterday that they were not soft but, more importantly, they lost the game.
   • I think I'm soft, but if a woman hit me, I'd thump her back, not go weeping to the authorities.
   • Tell me that the party is a bunch of soft cowards who can't fight terrorism or run a disciplined economic agenda.
   • Health drinks are for soft southerners who don't understand the bitter evils of driving Glaswegian sleet from October till March.
   • They are always soft, irresolute men--homebodies with more dynamic girlfriends or wives.
   • Well I am not soft or making excuses to take time off.
   • Boys were growing soft: too much time with their mothers and their teachers, not enough manly activity.
   • My old self would have said I was soft and pathetic.

   Synonyms

   weak, weak-willed, weak-kneed, feeble, spiritless, ineffectual, inadequate, irresolute, indecisive
5. 3.5informal (of a job or way of life) requiring little effort.
   Example sentencesExamples

   • The soft life they lead nowadays as constituency members is just unbelievable compared with the good old days.
   • I am privileged to have escaped the monotonous toil of endless physical labour and to have experienced a soft life in which I have been able to indulge my passion for history.
   • Some men think it's a soft job and they are too butch to do it, but it doesn't have to be like that.
   • The exceptionally bright and capable young man said that he had led a soft life and wanted to be a marine because ‘they're the toughest and most disciplined in the world.’
   • The price of enjoying such soft work is that it is sometimes accompanied by considerable verbal abuse from the officers.

4(of a drink) not alcoholic.

1. 4.1 (of a drug) not likely to cause addiction.
   Example sentencesExamples

   • While I was in Oxford doing my Higher Education certificate I came into contact with soft drugs and participated in the taking of them.
   • It is believed by some people that cannabis acts as a bridge from soft drugs to hard drugs, which are dangerous.
   • Dealers often lure users of soft drugs into the murks of more dangerous drugs, and get them hooked on these hard drugs from there.
   • Saturday a poll revealed that a significant number of MPs are in favour of changing the law relating to soft drugs.
   • I think it's a soft drug as they say, and shouldn't carry those heavy penalties.
   • Large quantities of soft drugs and hard drugs were found in the car of the eldest brother.
   • Cannabis is a soft drug, softer than tobacco which 11- to 12-year-olds are getting hold of.
   • This fragile monster truck of booze and soft drugs eventually careened off the road.
   • Most people acknowledge the big difference between the dangers of soft drugs such as cannabis and the likes of heroine and cocaine.
   • I know they have talked about legalising soft drugs.
   • They had started using soft drugs, such as hash, less than a few months ago.
   • We support gay marriages, decriminalising soft drugs and prostitution, and decentralisation.
   • Drugs also come under scrutiny, with a programme assessing the impact of the legalisation of soft drugs in Britain.
   • Lampe believes that legalization of drugs, starting with soft drugs, can help.
   • He had this big bag under the kitchen sink containing what was a form of that soft drug cannabis.
   • The Dutch decision to cease enforcing marijuana laws was a deliberate attempt to separate the hard and soft drug markets.
   • Sure, she'd drink here and there at parties, and she'd dabbled in a few soft drugs, but nothing too bad.
   • Half a year ago her first boyfriend got jailed for four years, for dealing in soft drugs.
   • Last week the Evening Press revealed that heroin is so widely available in the city that it is now cheaper than cannabis and other soft drugs.
   • Possession of small quantities of soft drugs (marijuana and hashish) is not prosecuted.
2. 4.2 (of radiation) having little penetrating power.
   Example sentencesExamples

   • In two high-altitude rocket flights of thin-walled Geiger tubes at geomagnetic latitudes 64° and 74°N, a considerable intensity of soft radiation has been encountered above 50 kilometers altitude.
   • Also present is a considerable background of soft radiation, which apparently is also x-radiation of non-solar or terrestrial origin.
   • In diagnostic applications, aluminum filters are used to remove the undesirable portion of soft radiation which would be completely absorbed by the human body.
3. 4.3 (of a detergent) biodegradable.
   Example sentencesExamples

   • They still go on about 'soft detergent', which might mean something to the US market, but, as far as I'm concerned, is still a detergent and will bind to the fabric.
   • With the emphasis being given to the development of biologically soft detergents, it is necessary to establish criteria defining biodegradability of these materials.
   • The turtle was cleaned with mineral oils and a soft detergent.
4. 4.4 (of pornography) suggestive or erotic but not explicit.
   Example sentencesExamples

   • I can also tell you that the same is true of the ships - some of it is little more than an excuse for soft-core pornography, some of it is genuinely moving romance.
   • Under the government's definition, the rules encompass both hard-core and soft-core photos and videos as long as there's sexual activity - even if it's solo.
   • Let's pretend, though, that old-school soft-core erotica is your thing - there's not a film genre you consider more beloved.
   • As Elizabeth Bell points out, the difference between soft-core pornography and hard-core pornography is the difference between simulated and real sex.
   • My site is soft-core - just girls posing for the camera.
   • But if you go to the movie hoping that it's going to be soft-core porn they're going to be disappointed because there's not enough to merit that.
   • Theresa has a real problem with A & F, she calls their catalogs soft-core porn.
   • This, combined with some soft-core porn, sent what was left of the family contingent screaming back to the suburbs.
   • The fact that the ad is soft-core porn is not as disturbing as the way that ‘sex’ is presented.
   • It never occurs to her that three hours later viewers will be treated to an afternoon of soft-core pornography masquerading as soap opera.
   • Which is worse: two airhead singers delivering half a second of soft-core porn or a hockey player delivering hard-core revenge that leaves an unmoving body on the ice for 10 minutes?
   • But we should appreciate that reality TV, particularly, traffics in and relies upon voyeurism, one-upmanship, humiliation and often soft-core pornography.
   • Emmanuelle, directed by Just Jaeckin, is the mother of all soft-core films, the movie that finally brought the sexual revolution to the suburbs of North America.
   • It introduced a premium edition last month, with a monthly charge of $30 to subscribers who will receive exclusive access to a mix of political commentary and soft-core pornography.
   • He knows about the women, the clothes, the soft-core porn, the sissified Martinis, etc.
   • Well, it is dark, and there is a screen as tall as a building playing soft-core porn… can you blame them?
   • Some Girl Scout mothers called it soft-core porn.
   • It is interesting to recall that much of the critique of the film, when it was released, centered on the idea that it was thinly-veiled soft-core porn.
   • Hard-core material could be banned as obscene and soft-core magazines could be limited to adults in order to avoid harm to minors.
   • By the beginning of the twenty-first century, every form of sexual exploitation, including soft-core child pornography, had been adapted by advertisers.

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

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

7informal Foolish; silly.

1. 7.1soft onpredicative Infatuated with.
   was Brendan soft on her?

   Synonyms

   in love with, infatuated with, besotted with, smitten with, love-struck by, captivated by, charmed by, enchanted by, fascinated by, bewitched by, beguiled by, enthralled by, entranced by, enraptured by, keen on, taken with, head over heels for, under the spell of, consumed with desire for

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

1Softly.

1. 1.1 In a weak or foolish way.
   don't talk soft

   Example sentencesExamples

   • Now then, girl, you're talking soft, as if Donal would risk losing his job.
   • But then I think straight back, ‘Don't talk soft, she'd never do that’.
   • Mitch, don't talk soft. The Eye still has by far and away the best exposes of any magazine.