softness
gb/sˈɔftnəs/ us/sˈɔftnəs/
B1
Inglês
~ 8600
Aceções
0 aceções
Nome
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.
Padrão de uso:
the softness of [something]
Erro comum:
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*).
Sinónimos
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.)
Antónimos
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.)
Colocações
the softness of the fabric
|incredible softness
|natural softness
|extra softness
|softness and warmth
|softness of the skin
Temas
daily life
|senses
|body
|core_vocabulary
Exemplos
- 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.
Exemplos para aprendentes
- 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.
Nome
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.
Padrão de uso:
the softness of [sound/light]
Erro comum:
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.
Sinónimos
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.)
Antónimos
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.)
Colocações
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
Temas
senses
|music
|science
|core_vocabulary
Exemplos
- 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.
Exemplos para aprendentes
- 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.
Nome
B2
property
3
gentle and kind character
The quality of a person who is gentle and kind and not very strict with other people.
Padrão de uso:
softness in [someone/something]
Erro comum:
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.”*
Sinónimos
tenderness (Highlights warm, caring feelings and gentle treatment of others.)
|
leniency (Focuses on not being strict in judgments or punishments.)
Antónimos
harshness (Describes a hard, unkind, or severe way of treating people.)
|
strictness (Emphasizes firm rules and punishment without much kindness or flexibility.)
Colocações
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
Temas
emotions
|relationships
|core_vocabulary
Exemplos
- 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.
Exemplos para aprendentes
- 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.
Nome
C1
property
4
weakness or lack of toughness
The state of not being tough, strong, or strict enough, usually seen as something bad.
Padrão de uso:
softness on [an issue]
Erro comum:
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.”*
Sinónimos
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.)
Antónimos
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.)
Colocações
softness on crime
|softness in defense
|softness in negotiations
|show softness under pressure
|criticized for his softness
|no room for softness
Temas
politics
|sports
|core_vocabulary
Exemplos
- 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.
Exemplos para aprendentes
- 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.
Nome
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.
Padrão de uso:
softness in [market/sector/prices]
Erro comum:
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.
Sinónimos
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.)
Antónimos
strength (Describes strong demand or rising prices in markets.)
|
firmness (Suggests that prices or markets are holding steady and not falling.)
Colocações
softness in demand
|softness in the housing market
|continued softness in prices
|signs of softness in consumer spending
|currency softness
|seasonal softness
Temas
business
|economics
|finance
Exemplos
- 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.
Exemplos para aprendentes
- 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.
Gramática
Forma de dicionário
softness
IPA
GB/sˈɔftnəs/
US/sˈɔftnəs/
Sílabas e acento
soft - ness (2 sílabas)
Stress on 1st syllable (soft)
Formas da palavra
Noun
- Base: softness
- Plural: softness, softnesses
Família de palavras
Expressões
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.
Exemplos
- 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.
Exemplos
- 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.
Exemplos
- 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.
Exemplos
- 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.