softness
/ˈsɒftnəs/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈsɔːftnəs/ (ame, ipa) · /-f(t)nə̇s/ (ame, mw)
softness — noun
1. the quality of a material or object that makes it easy to press, squeeze, or ben
the quality of a material or object that makes it easy to press, squeeze, or bend without breaking or cracking
The softness of the mattress made it easy for Ezra to fall asleep.
the softness of [object] as sentence subject
Tamar tested the softness of the dough by pressing it gently with one finger.
test the softness of [object]
Crossing the field was hard due to the muddy ground's softness after weeks of rain.
When choosing a yoga mat, most people care about softness just as much as thickness.
Lien felt the softness of the wool scarf around her neck as she walked home.
- pliability
more technical; emphasises ability to bend without breaking
- suppleness
suggests flexible resilience, especially in fabrics or skin
- malleability
chiefly for metals or materials that can be shaped by hammering
文法句型
the softness of [something]
用法筆記
This is the most common sense of softness. It refers to the physical property of materials and can be measured or felt by touch. The related adjective soft (A1) is far more frequent in everyday speech.
常見錯誤
2. the quality of having a smooth, non-rough surface that feels pleasant when touch
the quality of having a smooth, non-rough surface that feels pleasant when touched or rubbed against the skin
The moisturizer restored the softness of Camila's hands after a cold winter.
restore the softness of [body part]
Defne admired the softness of the silk scarf her grandmother had given her.
Natural cotton sheets tend to keep their softness longer than synthetic ones.
The softness of the velvet cushion soothed Obi's tired face after the long flight.
This conditioner promises to improve the softness of dry and damaged hair within one week.
- smoothness
more general; applies to any even surface, not just pleasant-to-touch ones
- silkiness
specifically like silk; implies fine, smooth texture
- roughness
the opposite quality of surface texture
文法句型
the softness of [something]
用法筆記
Closely related to sense 1, but sense 1 focuses on compressibility (ease of pressing), whereas sense 2 focuses on surface texture (smooth vs. rough). An object can be hard but smooth (e.g. polished stone) — that would be softness in sense 2 but not sense 1.
常見錯誤
3. the quality of being quiet, gentle, and not forceful — used for sounds, voices,
the quality of being quiet, gentle, and not forceful — used for sounds, voices, light, wind, or colour that create a calm and pleasant atmosphere
The softness of Élise's voice helped the frightened kitten to calm down.
the softness of [someone's] voice
Faisal adjusted the lamp because he liked the softness of indirect evening light.
There was a gentle softness in the way Stefan spoke to his elderly mother.
The softness of the morning light made the garden look almost magical.
Christopher loved the softness of acoustic guitar music when he was studying late at night.
- gentleness
broader; can describe personality and behaviour in addition to sensory qualities
- quietness
specifically for sounds; implies absence of loudness rather than pleasant tone
文法句型
the softness of [sound / light / wind / voice]
用法筆記
Unlike senses 1 and 2, this sense does not describe touch or texture. It describes sensory qualities perceived through hearing (voice, music) or sight (light, colour). Distinguish from sense 1 by checking whether the subject is a material (sense 1) or a sound / light source (sense 3).
常見錯誤
4. the habit of being excessively forgiving toward a wrongdoer or rule-breaker, esp
the habit of being excessively forgiving toward a wrongdoer or rule-breaker, especially when a stricter response would normally be expected — often used to express disapproval
The teacher's softness toward late assignments annoyed students who always met the deadline.
softness toward [someone/something]
Abigail criticized the court's softness when it gave a short sentence to the repeat offender.
Some parents worry that too much softness will prevent their children from learning responsibility.
The coach's softness during training sessions cost the team their place in the final match.
- leniency
more neutral; does not carry the same disapproving tone
- permissiveness
stronger disapproval; implies allowing behaviour that should be controlled
- strictness
the direct opposite; implies firm enforcement of rules
- severity
stronger; implies harshness in punishment or judgement
文法句型
softness toward [someone]
softness in [doing something]
用法筆記
This sense carries a mildly negative or critical tone. It appears most often in discussions of discipline (school, parenting, law, sports). The phrase 'too much softness' is especially common. For a neutral description of leniency, use 'leniency' or 'flexibility' instead.
常見錯誤
5. a property of water that comes from having very few dissolved mineral salts, so
a property of water that comes from having very few dissolved mineral salts, so that soap forms a lather easily and less residue is left behind
The softness of the local water meant Sora needed much less soap for his laundry.
Rachel noticed the water's softness soon after moving to her mountain apartment.
noticed the softness of the water
A water softener improves the softness of hard tap water by removing calcium and magnesium.
Hair washed in rainwater has a different softness because the water contains almost no minerals.
- low mineral content
describes the cause rather than the property itself
- hardness
the opposite quality in water; water with high mineral content
文法句型
the softness of [water]
用法筆記
Used almost exclusively as a technical or semi-technical term in discussions of water quality. In everyday conversation, people are more likely to say 'the water is soft' (using the adjective) rather than 'the softness of the water'.
常見錯誤
6. a situation in trade or commerce where available goods outnumber buyers, leading
a situation in trade or commerce where available goods outnumber buyers, leading to low or falling prices over time
Economists have warned about the softness of the housing market for several months.
softness of the [housing / job / stock] market
The softness in consumer spending worried small business owners across the country.
Ezra attributed the softness of the job market to seasonal changes in hiring patterns.
The softness of oil prices brought relief to drivers but deep concern to energy investors.
- weakness
more common in business contexts; similar range of usage
- strength
the opposite in market conditions; implies rising demand and prices
文法句型
softness in [market / economy / sector]
用法筆記
This is a specialised economics term. It is almost always used in formal or journalistic writing about market conditions. In everyday conversation, speakers would say 'the market is weak' rather than 'there is softness in the market'.