{
    "term": "soft",
    "partOfSpeech": "adjective",
    "ox3000": true,
    "cefr": "a2",
    "definitions": [
        {
            "senseNumber": 1,
            "definition": "changing shape easily when pressed; not stiff or hard",
            "cefr": "a2",
            "ox3000": true,
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "soft margarine"
                },
                {
                    "text": "soft feather pillows"
                },
                {
                    "text": "The grass was soft and springy."
                },
                {
                    "text": "They lay down on the soft sand."
                },
                {
                    "text": "These tomatoes have gone all soft."
                },
                {
                    "text": "The ground was soft and dry."
                },
                {
                    "text": "When the onion becomes soft, season with salt and pepper."
                }
            ],
            "collocations": {
                "verbs": ["be", "feel", "look"],
                "adverb": ["extremely", "fairly", "very"]
            }
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": 2,
            "definition": "less hard than average",
            "cefr": "b1",
            "ox3000": true,
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "soft rocks such as limestone"
                },
                {
                    "text": "soft corals"
                },
                {
                    "text": "soft cheeses"
                },
                {
                    "text": "the soft palate"
                }
            ],
            "collocations": {
                "verbs": ["be", "feel", "look"],
                "adverb": ["extremely", "fairly", "very"]
            }
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": 3,
            "definition": "smooth and pleasant to touch",
            "cefr": "b1",
            "ox3000": true,
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "soft skin"
                },
                {
                    "text": "a dress made from the finest, softest silk"
                },
                {
                    "text": "The fabric has a beautifully soft texture."
                },
                {
                    "text": "Clean the lens with a soft cloth."
                }
            ],
            "collocations": {
                "verbs": ["be", "feel", "look"],
                "adverb": ["extremely", "fairly", "very"]
            }
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": 4,
            "definition": "not having sharp angles or hard edges",
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "This season's fashions focus on warm tones and soft lines."
                },
                {
                    "text": "The moon's pale light cast soft shadows."
                }
            ]
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": 5,
            "definition": "not too bright, in a way that is pleasant and relaxing to the eyes",
            "cefr": "c1",
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "a soft pink"
                },
                {
                    "text": "the soft glow of candlelight"
                },
                {
                    "text": "The paint needs to be thinned in order to obtain softer tones."
                },
                {
                    "text": "The roofs shone in the soft evening light."
                },
                {
                    "text": "Soft lighting is often used by restaurants to create atmosphere."
                }
            ],
            "topics": ["Colours and Shapes"]
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": 6,
            "definition": "not strong or violent",
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "A soft breeze rustled the trees."
                }
            ],
            "synonyms": "light"
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": 7,
            "definition": "not loud, and usually pleasant and gentle",
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "He chose some soft background music and lit the candles."
                },
                {
                    "text": "She had a soft voice and a kind face."
                }
            ],
            "synonyms": "quiet"
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": 8,
            "definition": "kind and showing sympathy; easily affected by other people’s pain and problems",
            "cefr": "c2",
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "Julia's soft heart was touched by his grief."
                }
            ],
            "topics": ["Personal qualities"]
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": 9,
            "definition": "not strict or severe; not strict or severe enough",
            "sensetop": "soft (on somebody/something)soft (with somebody)",
            "labels": "(usually disapproving)",
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "The government is not becoming soft on crime.",
                    "contextForm": "soft (on somebody/something)"
                },
                {
                    "text": "If you're too soft with these kids they'll never respect you.",
                    "contextForm": "soft (with somebody)"
                },
                {
                    "text": "Critics say that this soft approach to truancy has failed."
                }
            ],
            "synonyms": "lenient"
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": 10,
            "definition": "stupid or crazy",
            "labels": "(informal)",
            "cefr": "c2",
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "I must be going **soft in the head**."
                }
            ]
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": 11,
            "definition": "not brave enough; wanting to be safe and comfortable",
            "labels": "(informal, disapproving)",
            "cefr": "c2",
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "Stay in a hotel? Don't be so soft. I want to camp out under the stars."
                }
            ],
            "topics": ["Personal qualities"]
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": 12,
            "definition": "not involving much work; too easy and comfortable",
            "labels": "(disapproving)",
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "They had got too used to the soft life at home."
                }
            ]
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": 13,
            "definition": "not containing mineral salts and therefore good for washing",
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "You won't need much soap—the water here is very soft."
                }
            ]
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": 14,
            "definition": "not alcoholic",
            "cefr": "c1",
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "soft beverages"
                },
                {
                    "text": "‘What would you like to drink?’ ‘Oh, something soft—I'm driving.’"
                }
            ],
            "topics": ["Drinks"]
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": 15,
            "definition": "not sounding hard, for example ‘c’ in city and ‘g’ in general",
            "labels": "(phonetics)",
            "cefr": "c1",
            "examples": [],
            "topics": ["Language"]
        },
        {
            "senseNumber": null,
            "definition": "to like somebody/something",
            "labels": "(informal)",
            "examples": [
                {
                    "text": "She's always had a soft spot for you."
                }
            ],
            "topics": ["Preferences and decisions"]
        }
    ],
    "pronunciations": {
        "uk": [
            {
                "pronunciation": "/sɒft/",
                "audio": "so/soft/soft__gb_3.mp3"
            }
        ],
        "us": [
            {
                "pronunciation": "/sɔːft/",
                "audio": "so/soft/soft__us_5.mp3"
            }
        ]
    },
    "wordOrigin": "Old English sōfte ‘agreeable, calm, gentle’, of West Germanic origin; related to Dutch zacht and German sanft."
}