- soft
- softW2S2 [sɔft US so:ft] adj comparative softer superlative softest▬▬▬▬▬▬▬1¦(not hard)¦2¦(not rough)¦3¦(not loud)¦4¦(colour/light)¦5¦(no hard edges)¦6¦(rain/wind)¦7¦(not strict)¦8¦(sensitive)¦9¦(weak character)¦10¦(sales/markets)¦11 soft loan/credit12 soft money13¦(too easy)¦14¦(weak body)¦15¦(water)¦16 have a soft spot for somebody17 a soft touch18 soft in the head19¦(stupid)¦20 be soft on somebody21¦(consonants)¦▬▬▬▬▬▬▬[: Old English; Origin: softe]1.) ¦(NOT HARD)¦a) not hard, firm, or stiff, but easy to press≠ ↑hard▪ My feet sank into the soft ground.▪ the softest sofa and pillows▪ Cook the onions until they go soft .b) less hard than average≠ ↑hard▪ a soft lead pencil▪ soft cheese2.) ¦(NOT ROUGH)¦having a surface that is smooth and pleasant to touch≠ ↑rough▪ a baby's soft skin▪ The fur was soft to the touch.3.) ¦(NOT LOUD)¦a soft sound, voice, or music is quiet and pleasant to listen to▪ soft music▪ His voice was softer now.4.) ¦(COLOUR/LIGHT)¦ [only before noun]soft colours or lights are pleasant and relaxing because they are not too bright≠ ↑bright▪ All the stores will be re-fitted with softer lighting.▪ a soft shade of peach5.) ¦(NO HARD EDGES)¦not having any hard edges or sharp angles▪ soft curves6.) ¦(RAIN/WIND)¦gentle and without much force▪ a soft breeze▪ soft rain7.) ¦(NOT STRICT)¦someone who is soft seems weak because they are not strict enough with other people▪ If you appear to be soft, people take advantage of you.soft on▪ No politician wants to seem soft on crime .▪ Courts have been taking a soft line (=not being strict enough) with young offenders.8.) ¦(SENSITIVE)¦kind, gentle, and sympathetic to other people≠ ↑hard▪ He has a soft heart beneath that cold exterior.▪ a soft kiss9.) ¦(WEAK CHARACTER)¦not very brave and not having a strong character≠ ↑hard▪ Don't be soft - just jump!10.)¦(SALES/MARKETS)¦decreasing in price, value, or the amount sold▪ soft oil prices11.) soft loan/creditmoney that is lent at a lower interest rate than usual, because it will be used to help people in some way12.) soft moneymoney that people, companies, or organizations give to political parties, rather than to a particular ↑candidate13.) ¦(TOO EASY)¦ informala soft job, life etc is too easy and does not involve much work or hard physical work▪ Mike's found himself a soft job in the stores.soft optionBrE (=a choice that allows you to avoid difficulties or hard work)▪ Taking the soft option won't help your career to develop.14.) ¦(WEAK BODY)¦ informalhaving a body that is not in a strong physical condition, because you do not do enough exercise▪ He'd got soft after all those years in a desk job.15.) ¦(WATER)¦soft water does not contain many minerals, so that it forms bubbles from soap easily16.) have a soft spot for sbto continue to like someone even when they do not behave well▪ She's always had a soft spot for Grant.17.) a soft touch informalsomeone from whom you can easily get what you want, because they are kind or easy to deceive18.) soft in the headold-fashioned very stupid or crazy19.) ¦(STUPID)¦BrE stupid or silly▪ You must be soft if you think I'll give you fifty quid!20.) be soft on sbold-fashioned to be sexually attracted to someone21.) ¦(CONSONANTS)¦technical not sounding hard▪ a soft g>softly adv▪ She stroked his head softly.▪ Music played softly in the background.>softness n [U]▬▬▬▬▬▬▬WORD FOCUS: softsoft and pleasant to touch: velvety, fluffy, silkysoft and easily crushed: squashy, squishysoft and wet: mushy, squelchy (BrE informal)soft and good to eat: tender▬▬▬▬▬▬▬
Dictionary of contemporary English. 2013.
