Antonyms for soft


Grammar : Adj
Spell : sawft, soft
Phonetic Transcription : sɔft, sɒft


Definition of soft

Origin :
  • Old English softe, earlier sefte, "gentle, mild-natured; easeful, comfortable, calm, undisturbed; luxurious," from West Germanic *samfti, from Proto-Germanic *samftijaz "level, even, smooth, gentle, soft" (cf. Old Saxon safti, Old High German semfti, German sanft; and from a variant form with -ch- for -f-, Middle Dutch sachte, Dutch zacht, German sacht), from root *som- "fitting, agreeable."
  • From c.1200 of material things, "not stiff, not coarse, fine; yielding to weight." From late 14c. of wind, rain, etc. Of sounds, "quiet, not loud," from early 13c. Of words, "mild, restrained; courteous" mid-14c. From late 14c. as "indulgent," also "physically feeble; easily overcome, lacking manly courage." From 1755 of water ("relatively free from mineral salts"), from 1789 of coal. Meaning "foolish, simple, silly" is attested from 1620s; earlier "easily moved or swayed; soft-hearted, sympathetic; docile" (early 13c.). In reference to drinks, "non-alcoholic" from 1880. As an adverb, Old English softe "gently;" late 13c. as "quietly." As an interjection from 1540s.
  • Soft landing is from 1958 and the U.S. space program. Adjective soft-core (in reference to pornography) is from 1966 (cf. hardcore). Soft rock as a music style is attested from 1969. Soft sell is from 1955. Soft-shoe as a dancing style is attested from 1927. Soft-boiled is from 1757 of eggs; of persons, ideas, etc., 1930 (cf. half-baked). Soft-focus (adj.) of camera shots is from 1917. The softer sex "women collectively" is from 1640s.
  • adj cushioned, squishy
  • adj faint, temperate
  • adj compassionate
  • adj out of condition
  • adj stupid
Example sentences :
  • She was quite still, and he noted from the change in her soft breathing that she slept.
  • Extract from : « The Spenders » by Harry Leon Wilson
  • These he drove firmly into the soft bottom of a shallow lake.
  • Extract from : « Ancient Man » by Hendrik Willem van Loon
  • Andrew Lanning was town bred and soft of skin from the work at the forge.
  • Extract from : « Way of the Lawless » by Max Brand
  • "He's layin' down," said Bill Dozier, and his voice was soft but audible in the saloon.
  • Extract from : « Way of the Lawless » by Max Brand
  • She was saying in a thick, soft voice, "It was wrong of you, my darling."
  • Extract from : « Life and Death of Harriett Frean » by May Sinclair
  • But my husban' he's that soft hearted, miss, where anything i' the baby-line's a goin' on!
  • Extract from : « Weighed and Wanting » by George MacDonald
  • The banks of the river were steep, and consisted of soft clay.
  • Extract from : « Journal of an Expedition into the Interior of Tropical Australia » by Thomas Mitchell
  • So keen the blade, so soft the touch, the sleeper did not wake!
  • Extract from : « Punchinello, Vol. 1, No. 6, May 7, 1870 » by Various
  • Cook the potatoes and onions in the water until they are soft.
  • Extract from : « Woman's Institute Library of Cookery, Vol. 3 » by Woman's Institute of Domestic Arts and Sciences
  • The carpet was soft and rich; it gave back no sound of footfall.
  • Extract from : « Ester Ried Yet Speaking » by Isabella Alden

Synonyms for soft

Based on : Thesaurus.com - Gutenberg.org - Dictionary.com - Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019