soft
Describes something that is easy to press, fold, or shape and is not hard or firm. It can also describe sounds that are quiet or light that is gentle and not too bright.
Examples
3 of 5This pillow is very soft and helps me sleep well.
This cushion is very comfortable and not hard, helping me rest.
The manager took a soft approach when giving feedback to the new intern.
The supervisor used a gentle and kind method to provide advice to the beginner.
I love your soft sweater; where did you buy it?
I like your fluffy and smooth clothing; which shop is it from?
Word Family
Memory Tip
Think of a 'Soft Sofa'—both words start with 'S' and sofas are designed to be soft.
Quick Quiz
The cat's fur is very ____ and nice to touch.
Correct!
The correct answer is: soft
Examples
This pillow is very soft and helps me sleep well.
everydayThis cushion is very comfortable and not hard, helping me rest.
The manager took a soft approach when giving feedback to the new intern.
formalThe supervisor used a gentle and kind method to provide advice to the beginner.
I love your soft sweater; where did you buy it?
informalI like your fluffy and smooth clothing; which shop is it from?
The study analyzed the soft tissues of the specimen.
academicThe research looked at the flexible parts of the biological sample.
We need to use soft colors for the website's background to make it professional.
businessWe should use gentle and pale colors for the site to ensure a professional look.
Word Family
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
soft spot for
to have a special liking or affection for someone or something
soft touch
a person who is easily convinced to give money or help
soft landing
a situation where a difficult process ends without a major problem
Often Confused With
'Soft' refers to how easily something yields to pressure, while 'smooth' refers to a surface without bumps.
Usage Notes
Use 'soft' to describe physical objects that are pleasant to touch, like blankets or fur. It can also describe non-physical things like a person's heart or a gentle sound.
Common Mistakes
Learners sometimes use 'soft' to mean 'weak' in a negative sense, but 'soft' is usually positive or neutral unless referring to a lack of discipline.
Memory Tip
Think of a 'Soft Sofa'—both words start with 'S' and sofas are designed to be soft.
Word Origin
From the Old English 'sōfte', which meant 'gentle, mild, or easy'.
Grammar Patterns
Cultural Context
In modern English-speaking workplaces, 'soft skills' refers to interpersonal abilities like communication and empathy.
Quick Quiz
The cat's fur is very ____ and nice to touch.
Correct!
The correct answer is: soft
Related Grammar Rules
Related Vocabulary
More Descriptions words
tiny
A1Describes something that is very small in size, amount, or degree. It is more emphatic than the word 'small' and is often used to highlight how little something is.
miniature
A1A very small copy or model of something that is usually much larger. It can also refer to a very small painting, especially a portrait.
tall
A1Describing something or someone that has a greater than average height. It is typically used for living things like people and trees, or narrow objects like buildings and towers.
low
A1Not high or tall in height, often positioned close to the ground or a base level. It can also describe a small amount of something, a quiet sound, or a sad mood.
wide
A1Describes something that has a large distance from one side to the other. It is used to talk about the breadth of physical objects like roads, doors, or rivers.
thick
A1Describes something that has a large distance between its two opposite sides or surfaces. It can also describe liquids that are dense and do not flow easily, or things that grow closely together like hair or forest trees.
thin
A1Describes something that has a small distance between its two opposite sides or surfaces. It can also describe a person or animal that has very little body fat.
deep
A1As a noun, 'the deep' refers to the ocean or a very large and deep body of water. It is also used to describe the most intense or central part of a period of time, such as the middle of the night or winter.
perfect
A1In grammar, the perfect refers to a verb form that shows an action is completed or finished. It is also used in the phrase 'practice makes perfect' to describe a state of having no mistakes.
terrible
A1Used to describe something that is very bad, of poor quality, or causes great unhappiness. It is a strong way to say that you dislike something or that a situation is very unpleasant.
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