WordGarden.iosofty
C2Pronunciation
UK
- /sˈɒfti/
US
- /sˈɔfti/
Meanings
Noun
a person who is tender-hearted or easily moved emotionally
a person seen as not tough enough or too easily swayed
Beyond the definition
A "softy" is not necessarily weak. It usually means someone who feels things deeply and shows a lot of kindness. Maybe they cry at commercials, spoil their pets, or always stand up for the underdog. You might call your grandpa a softy because he acts strict but melts when his grandkids smile. The word is often affectionate, but depending on your tone, it can also suggest that someone is not very tough.
The word "softy" describes a person who is especially kind-hearted, sentimental, or easy to move to tears, pity, or affection. It points to a gentle nature and an open emotional side. The term is usually informal and often affectionate, though in some situations it can hint that a person is not very tough.
It comes from the adjective "soft," and the idea carries over clearly: this is someone with a soft heart. You might say, "He's a real softy when it comes to animals," meaning he cannot stay hard or distant around them. You might also hear, "She's a softy underneath all that attitude," to describe someone who seems tough on the outside but is warm and tender underneath.
Context matters a lot. Friends and family often use "softy" as light teasing or warm praise, especially when talking about someone who acts brave or strict but is deeply caring. In a harsher tone, though, it can sound critical, as if the person is too emotional or too easily affected.
Overall, a "softy" is someone who wears their heart on their sleeve: sensitive, caring, and quick to feel for others.
Examples
- 1
Sports coaching
Everyone thinks the coach is tough, but he's a big softy with the younger players.
- 2
True nature
My dad acts strict, but he's a softy at heart.
- Phraseat heart
in your real character
- 3
Animal sympathy
She's a softy when it comes to stray cats, so our house is full of them.
- Phrasewhen it comes to
about a particular thing
See also
Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- softynoun