squishy

/ˈskwɪʃi/ (bre, ipa) · [skwˈɪʃi] /ˈskwɪʃi/ (ame, ipa) · [skwˈɪʃi] /ˈskwi-shē How to pronounce squishy (audio)/ (ame, mw) · /ˈskwɪʃ.i/ (bre, ipa) · [skwˈɪʃi] /ˈskwɪʃ.i/ (ame, ipa)

squishy — adjective

  • squishypositive
  • squishiercomparative
  • squishiestsuperlative

1. easy to press out of shape, with a soft, slightly wet or sponge-like feel instea

1.形容詞B2
釋義

easy to press out of shape, with a soft, slightly wet or sponge-like feel instead of a firm one.

例句

The brownies were still warm and squishy in the middle when Meera cut them.

squishy in the middle — soft when pressed

After the storm, the football field felt squishy under Andres's wet shoes.

felt squishy — yielding surface under pressure

同義詞
  • soft

    broader everyday word; does not suggest the same springy, compressed feel

  • spongy

    stronger suggestion of many small holes and a light, bouncy texture

  • mushy

    usually more negative; suggests something has become too soft and messy

  • yielding

    more formal; focuses on giving way under pressure

反義詞
  • firm

    keeps its shape instead of sinking in when pressed

  • hard

    solid and resistant to pressure

文法句型

squishy + noun

be/look/feel + squishy

go/turn + squishy

用法筆記

Most often used for food, ground, foam, or other things that sink in when you press them. It is more informal and more vivid than soft, and often hints at moisture or a sponge-like texture.

常見錯誤

❌The towel is squishy because it feels gentle on my skin.
✅The towel is soft because it feels gentle on my skin.
💡Squishy suggests something gives way when pressed, often with a damp or sponge-like feel, not simply a pleasant texture.

2. describes language, plans, or ideas that do not set clear limits or details, so

2.形容詞C1
釋義

describes language, plans, or ideas that do not set clear limits or details, so people are left unsure what exactly is meant.

例句

The contract language was so squishy that Layla asked a lawyer to explain it.

squishy language — lacking firm limits

Our goals sound squishy unless we add a date, a budget, and a clear number.

sound squishy — not specific enough for action

同義詞
  • vague

    broader and more neutral; often about missing detail rather than weak boundaries

  • imprecise

    more formal; focuses on lack of exactness

  • fuzzy

    informal; can suggest blurry thinking as well as unclear wording

  • loose

    suggests rules or definitions are not tightly fixed

反義詞
  • clear

    easy to understand and not open to confusion

  • precise

    exact in wording or measurement

  • well-defined

    having clear limits and details

文法句型

squishy + noun

be/sound + squishy

squishy about + noun

用法筆記

This sense is common in informal talk about rules, targets, ideas, or explanations that feel loose rather than clearly defined. It often carries mild criticism, especially when people need firm details for a decision.

常見錯誤

❌The road sign looked squishy in the fog.
✅The road sign looked blurry in the fog.
💡This sense of squishy is about unclear ideas or wording, not things that are physically hard to see.

3. too ready to let people break rules or avoid punishment, instead of correcting t

3.形容詞C1
釋義

too ready to let people break rules or avoid punishment, instead of correcting them firmly.

例句

Some parents think the school is too squishy on lateness and missed homework.

be squishy on + problem — not strict enough

The camp leader grew squishy about bedtime once the older children complained.

grow squishy about + rule

同義詞
  • lenient

    more neutral and common in formal or official contexts

  • permissive

    focuses on allowing a lot of freedom, especially in parenting or education

  • lax

    suggests weak control or poor enforcement of rules

  • soft

    short everyday term; often used in the phrase soft on crime

反義詞
  • strict

    enforces rules closely and allows few exceptions

  • firm

    holds to a rule or decision without giving way easily

  • tough

    stronger and more forceful in punishment or control

文法句型

be + squishy on + noun

be + squishy about + noun

a squishy + noun

用法筆記

Usually a negative judgment about discipline, deadlines, or standards. Distinguish from sense 1: this sense is about being too weak in control or punishment, not about physical softness.

常見錯誤

❌My aunt is squishy when she hugs me.
✅My aunt is gentle when she hugs me.
💡In this sense squishy criticizes someone for being too lax, not physically soft or emotionally warm.

squishy — noun