soft
Easily giving way under pressure.
Word facts
Definition of Soft
Smooth and flexible; not rough, rugged, or harsh.
Example sentences
My head sank easily into the soft pillow.
Polish the silver with a soft cloth to avoid scratching.
Using Soft well
A closer look at how soft is used — meaning in plain English, how close synonyms differ, and examples at different levels.
Easy to press, bend, or touch; gentle rather than harsh in feel, sound, light, or manner.
Use 'soft' for anything gentle to the senses or mild in force, and when you want to signal comfort, quietness, or a lack of hardness. It can flatter (tender) or criticise (weak), so context matters.
Textures ('soft fabric'), sounds and voices, light and colour, and describing people who are gentle or, sometimes, not tough enough.
Do not confuse with 'sought', the past tense of 'seek'; the two are pronounced differently and unrelated.
- gentle
- Focuses on mildness of manner or force rather than physical give; a touch can be gentle without being soft.
- tender
- Adds warmth and affection, or refers to something delicate and easily hurt.
- supple
- Praises softness that bends easily without breaking, as with leather or a dancer's movement.
- muted
- Applies mainly to sound or colour, meaning toned down and subdued rather than yielding to touch.
- cushioned
- Emphasises padded comfort and protection, a more physical and specific kind of softness.
- hard
- The plain physical opposite: firm and resistant to pressure.
- firm
- A milder opposite suggesting solidity without harshness.
- harsh
- Opposes the 'gentle' sense: rough, severe, or unpleasant to the senses.
- coarse
- Opposes soft texture specifically, meaning rough and uneven to the touch.
- Beginner The kitten's fur is very soft.
- In writing Soft evening light fell across the room, blurring the edges of the furniture.
- Advanced His voice stayed soft throughout, which somehow made the reprimand land harder than shouting would have.
Soft shares its feel with 'sofa': something you sink into, easy and yielding.
Synonyms for Soft
Antonyms for Soft
Related words
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Words that rhyme with Soft
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FAQ
Questions people ask
What does soft mean?
Easily giving way under pressure. It is an adjective.
How many syllables does soft have?
Soft has 1 syllable. It is pronounced as a single beat: soft.
What part of speech is soft?
Soft is used as an adjective. As a noun, it names a thing, idea, or concept.
What are synonyms for soft?
Words with similar meanings to soft include tender, delicate, mellow, subdued. The best synonym depends on the exact context you are writing or reading in.
How do you use soft in a sentence?
Example: "My head sank easily into the soft pillow."