Easy to press, cut, or shape; not hard or firm. It can also describe gentle sounds, lights, or behaviors that are mild and not harsh.
“Soft” comes from Old English “sōfte,” meaning “gentle” or “mild,” both in texture and character. It is related to Germanic words about ease and comfort. The physical and emotional senses have long existed side by side.
“Soft” is a touch word that turned into a personality word: soft skin, soft music, soft heart. That jump shows how much we borrow from the body to talk about feelings. Even “software” plays on the contrast with hard, physical machinery.
'Soft' has been used in gendered ways, with women stereotyped as 'soft' or 'too soft' for leadership and 'soft skills' devalued relative to 'hard' technical skills often associated with men. This language has contributed to the devaluation of feminized labor and emotional work.
Use 'soft' descriptively (e.g., texture, sound) and avoid equating softness with weakness or femininity. When discussing 'soft skills,' recognize their importance and avoid implying they are less valuable than 'hard' skills.
["gentle","flexible","subtle","interpersonal skills"]
When describing leadership and organizational success, credit the emotional, relational, and care work—often done by women and gender‑diverse people—that has historically been dismissed as 'soft.'
Complete word intelligence in one call. Free tier — 50 lookups/day.