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English

softness

gb/sˈɔftnəs/ us/sˈɔftnəs/
B1 English
~ 8600
Senses
0 senses
Noun B1 property
1

quality of being soft to the touch

The quality of something that is easy to press or bend and feels nice when you touch it.

Usage pattern: the softness of [something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes say *“I like this softness blanket”* instead of *“I like the softness of this blanket”* or *“I like this soft blanket.”* Remember: *softness* is a noun, so it usually appears with *of* or after *the* (e.g. *the softness of the fabric*), while *soft* is the adjective used before a noun (e.g. *a soft fabric*).
Synonyms
plushness (Often suggests a thick, luxurious softness, especially in fabrics or furniture.) | smoothness (Focuses more on a surface without roughness; it can be hard and smooth, not always soft.)
Antonyms
hardness (Emphasizes that something is firm and difficult to press or bend.) | roughness (Highlights an unpleasant, uneven feel on the surface, not smooth or pleasant to touch.)
Collocations
the softness of the fabric |incredible softness |natural softness |extra softness |softness and warmth |softness of the skin
Themes
daily life |senses |body |core_vocabulary
Examples
  • The incredible softness of the blanket made it hard for her to get out of bed.
  • You can feel the natural softness of the cotton when you run your fingers over it.
  • Over time, repeated washing reduced the softness of the towels.
  • The cream quickly restored the softness of his dry hands.
  • This pillow is advertised for its extra softness and support.
Learner examples
  • I like the softness of this sweater.
  • The baby’s skin has a special softness.
  • Please feel the softness of the new sofa.
  • The cream helps the softness of my hands.
  • She loves the softness of her pillow.
Noun B2 property
2

gentle level of sound or light

The quality of a sound or light that is not strong, loud, or bright, but gentle.

Usage pattern: the softness of [sound/light]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use *“small”* or *“low”* instead of *softness*, for example *“the low of her voice”* instead of *“the softness of her voice.”* Use *softness* when you want to talk about a gentle, not harsh quality of sound or light as a noun.
Synonyms
gentleness (Emphasizes the mild, calm quality of a sound or light rather than its physical intensity.) | mildness (Describes a lack of strength or harshness; can apply to weather, light, or other sensations.)
Antonyms
loudness (Opposes softness in sound by emphasizing a high volume or intensity.) | harshness (Opposes softness in both sound and light by suggesting something unpleasant and strong on the senses.)
Collocations
the softness of her voice |the softness of the light |with a surprising softness |softness and warmth of the glow |softness in his tone |softness of the background music
Themes
senses |music |science |core_vocabulary
Examples
  • The softness of her voice calmed everyone in the room.
  • Photographers often prefer the softness of early-morning light.
  • He spoke with a new softness in his tone that surprised his colleagues.
  • The curtains added a pleasant softness to the harsh afternoon sun.
  • The song begins with the softness of a single piano before the full band enters.
Learner examples
  • We enjoyed the softness of the evening light.
  • The softness of his voice made the child relax.
  • I like the softness of the music in this café.
  • The clouds gave a softness to the bright sun.
  • There was a new softness in her tone.
Noun B2 property
3

gentle and kind character

The quality of a person who is gentle and kind and not very strict with other people.

Usage pattern: softness in [someone/something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse *softness* with *weakness* in this context. *Softness* here is usually positive or neutral (kind, gentle), while *weakness* is negative (not strong enough). Also, avoid saying *“a soft character”* when you mean the quality itself; use *“his softness”* or *“a softness in his character.”*
Synonyms
tenderness (Highlights warm, caring feelings and gentle treatment of others.) | leniency (Focuses on not being strict in judgments or punishments.)
Antonyms
harshness (Describes a hard, unkind, or severe way of treating people.) | strictness (Emphasizes firm rules and punishment without much kindness or flexibility.)
Collocations
a softness in his eyes |a softness in her voice |softness of heart |a certain softness toward children |emotional softness |show a moment of softness
Themes
emotions |relationships |core_vocabulary
Examples
  • There was a surprising softness in his eyes when he spoke about his family.
  • The teacher’s softness with younger students made her very popular.
  • Her softness of heart led her to forgive him again and again.
  • He hides his softness behind a very professional manner.
  • In that moment of softness, she decided to give them another chance.
Learner examples
  • I saw a new softness in his face.
  • Her softness with the children makes them feel safe.
  • His softness of heart is easy to see.
  • She shows softness when she talks to her parents.
  • The boss has some softness toward new workers.
Noun C1 property
4

weakness or lack of toughness

The state of not being tough, strong, or strict enough, usually seen as something bad.

Usage pattern: softness on [an issue]
Common mistake:
Learners may think this *softness* is always positive because of the verb *soften*. In politics, business, or sports, *softness* is usually negative and means a lack of needed strength or strictness. Also, avoid *“softness for crime”*; the usual phrase is *“softness on crime.”*
Synonyms
weakness (General word for not being strong; often clearly negative in evaluations.) | overleniency (Suggests being much too kind or not strict enough, especially in punishment or rules.)
Antonyms
toughness (Stresses being strong, strict, or hard to defeat; often praised in this context.) | firmness (Focuses on being clear and strict, not changing decisions easily.)
Collocations
softness on crime |softness in defense |softness in negotiations |show softness under pressure |criticized for his softness |no room for softness
Themes
politics |sports |core_vocabulary
Examples
  • The candidate was attacked for his perceived softness on crime.
  • Their defensive softness cost them the game in the final minutes.
  • Some employees took advantage of her softness in enforcing deadlines.
  • The report highlights a worrying softness in the bank’s risk controls.
  • Critics say that any softness in negotiations will be seen as a sign of weakness.
Learner examples
  • The coach blamed the loss on the team’s softness in defense.
  • He was criticized for his softness on crime.
  • There is no place for softness in this competition.
  • Some workers use his softness to come late.
  • They showed softness when they should have been strong.
Noun technical C1 property
5

slight weakness in prices or demand

A situation in business or the economy where prices or demand are a bit weak or going down, but not very strongly.

Usage pattern: softness in [market/sector/prices]
Common mistake:
Learners may understand *softness* only as a feeling or physical quality and miss this business meaning. In business news, *softness* does not mean something is easy to touch; it means prices or demand are a bit weak or falling.
Synonyms
weakness (General economic term for a lack of strength in prices or demand.) | sluggishness (Emphasizes slow movement or slow growth, often in markets or the economy.)
Antonyms
strength (Describes strong demand or rising prices in markets.) | firmness (Suggests that prices or markets are holding steady and not falling.)
Collocations
softness in demand |softness in the housing market |continued softness in prices |signs of softness in consumer spending |currency softness |seasonal softness
Themes
business |economics |finance
Examples
  • The company blamed lower profits on continued softness in the European market.
  • Analysts expect some softness in demand over the next quarter.
  • Recent softness in housing prices has worried potential sellers.
  • Despite softness in consumer spending, employment figures remain strong.
  • Currency softness has made imports more expensive this year.
Learner examples
  • The bank warns of softness in the housing market.
  • There is some softness in demand for new cars.
  • They reported softness in sales last month.
  • Economists see early signs of softness in prices.
  • The company is worried about softness in the local market.
Grammar
Dictionary form
softness
IPA
GB/sˈɔftnəs/
US/sˈɔftnəs/
Syllables & stress
soft - ness (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (soft)
Word forms
Noun
  • Base: softness
  • Plural: softness, softnesses
Word family
Forms
softnesses noun
Core family
soft adjective A1 softly adverb A2 soften verb A2
Related words
softener noun
Negative and opposite forms
hard adjective A2
Expressions

softness of heart

1
/sˈɔftnəs əv hˈɑɹt/
idiom literary

kind and easily forgiving nature

The quality of a person who feels a lot of pity or love and forgives other people easily.

Examples
  • It was her softness of heart that led her to adopt three children.
  • Out of softness of heart, he decided not to press charges.
  • His softness of heart is both his greatest strength and his greatest weakness.

softness on crime

1
/sˈɔftnəs ˈɔn kɹˈaɪm/
fixed phrase formal

not strict enough toward crime

The idea that someone, usually a politician or government, is not strict enough with criminals.

Examples
  • The minister rejected accusations of softness on crime.
  • No candidate wants to appear to show softness on crime during the election.
  • New laws were introduced to counter the perceived softness on crime in recent years.

the softness of

1
/ðə sˈɔftnəs əv/
fixed phrase

talking about softness as a quality

Used before a noun to talk about how soft, gentle, or not harsh something is, for example in touch, sound, light, or behavior.

Examples
  • We admired the softness of the blanket as we wrapped it around us.
  • The photographer loved the softness of the morning light.
  • Everyone noticed the softness of her voice when she spoke to the children.

with surprising softness

1
/wˈɪθ səpɹˈaɪzɪŋ sˈɔftnəs/
fixed phrase

in a gentler way than expected

Used to say that someone speaks or acts in a much gentler way than people thought they would.

Examples
  • He spoke with surprising softness after such a heated argument.
  • The teacher, known for being strict, handled the mistake with surprising softness.
  • She answered the difficult question with surprising softness and patience.
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