B2 noun Neutral

software

/ˈsɒft.weər/

The programs, applications, and operating information used by a computer or electronic device. Unlike hardware, software is non-physical and consists of instructions that tell the computer how to perform specific tasks.

Examples

3 of 5
1

I need to install some new photo editing software on my laptop tonight.

I need to install some new photo editing software on my laptop tonight.

2

The institution requires all software to be vetted for security vulnerabilities before deployment.

The institution requires all software to be vetted for security vulnerabilities before deployment.

3

What's the best software you've found for making quick memes?

What's the best software you've found for making quick memes?

Word Family

Noun
software
Adjective
softwarized
Related
software engineer
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Memory Tip

Think of the difference between a piano (hardware) and the sheet music (software). You can touch the piano, but the music is the information that makes it work.

Quick Quiz

The IT department recommends that we update our security _____ immediately to prevent data leaks.

Correct!

The correct answer is: software

Examples

1

I need to install some new photo editing software on my laptop tonight.

everyday

I need to install some new photo editing software on my laptop tonight.

2

The institution requires all software to be vetted for security vulnerabilities before deployment.

formal

The institution requires all software to be vetted for security vulnerabilities before deployment.

3

What's the best software you've found for making quick memes?

informal

What's the best software you've found for making quick memes?

4

Specialized statistical software was employed to analyze the raw data from the longitudinal study.

academic

Specialized statistical software was employed to analyze the raw data from the longitudinal study.

5

The company is investing in enterprise software to streamline its human resources processes.

business

The company is investing in enterprise software to streamline its human resources processes.

Word Family

Noun
software
Adjective
softwarized
Related
software engineer

Common Collocations

install software to set up a program on a computer
software developer a person who creates computer programs
pirated software illegally copied or distributed programs
software update a newer version of an existing program
open-source software software with source code that anyone can inspect or modify

Common Phrases

anti-virus software

programs designed to prevent and remove malware

beta software

a version of a program that is still being tested

educational software

programs designed specifically for learning purposes

Often Confused With

software vs hardware

Hardware refers to the physical components like the monitor and keyboard, while software refers to the internal programs.

software vs firmware

Firmware is a specific type of software etched into a hardware device to control its basic operations.

📝

Usage Notes

Software is an uncountable noun. It is never used in the plural form (softwares) and is rarely preceded by 'a'.

⚠️

Common Mistakes

Learners often try to count software. Instead of saying 'a software' or 'many softwares', say 'a piece of software' or 'various software programs'.

💡

Memory Tip

Think of the difference between a piano (hardware) and the sheet music (software). You can touch the piano, but the music is the information that makes it work.

📖

Word Origin

Coined in the late 1950s as a contrast to 'hardware', using the 'soft' prefix to denote its malleable and non-physical nature.

Grammar Patterns

uncountable noun often used as a noun adjunct (e.g., software engineering) can be used with 'piece of' to express a single unit
🌍

Cultural Context

The 'software-as-a-service' (SaaS) model has fundamentally changed how global businesses operate and subscribe to technology.

Quick Quiz

The IT department recommends that we update our security _____ immediately to prevent data leaks.

Correct!

The correct answer is: software

Related Words

microcredacy

C1

Pertaining to or characterized by the use of micro-credentials or small, specific certifications to demonstrate professional proficiency. It describes educational or career paths that prioritize modular, bite-sized learning over traditional long-term degrees.

enmandsion

C1

A formal noun referring to the process of extending a mandate, physical boundary, or the scope of influence. It often implies a structured or legal enlargement of authority or property rather than just a natural growth.

antegeoty

C1

To conduct a comprehensive geological assessment or survey of a land area before any structural development or human intervention occurs. This process is used to ensure the ground is stable and to record its original state for environmental compliance.

hyperregine

C1

A hyperregine refers to an extremely intensified or rigid system of regulation or management, often used in technical or administrative contexts to describe over-control. It characterizes a state where oversight mechanisms operate at an abnormally high or excessive level, potentially stifling flexibility.

presolvant

C1

A chemical substance or agent applied to a surface or material before the main cleaning or dissolving process to loosen contaminants. It is primarily used in industrial degreasing, dry cleaning, and specialized laboratory procedures to enhance the efficiency of the primary solvent.

monocludible

C1

Describing an object, space, or system that can be closed, blocked, or sealed using a single mechanism or at a solitary point. It is often used in technical, architectural, or logical contexts to denote a singular point of occlusion.

ultraturbtion

C1

To apply extreme, high-frequency agitation or turbulence to a substance, typically in a laboratory or industrial setting. This verb describes the process of disrupting a system's stability to achieve a state of hyper-homogeneity or to trigger a specific reaction.

extrauniable

C1

To extend or adapt a system, credit, or resource so that it functions outside a single university or unit. It is used primarily to describe the process of making institutional assets compatible with broader, multi-organizational frameworks.

antedictive

C1

To state, declare, or indicate a condition or event before it actually occurs; to pre-specify or predict based on prior logic or data. It is typically used in formal, technical, or logical contexts to describe the act of asserting a result in advance of its manifestation.

triruptacy

C1

To divide or fracture a single entity, process, or concept into three distinct and often competing segments. This term is frequently used in technical or legal contexts to describe a deliberate three-way split intended to improve specialization or manage risk.

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