Softy: meaning, definitions and examples

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softy

 

[ หˆsษ’fti ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

informal

A person who is sensitive, gentle, or easily hurt emotionally.

Synonyms

emotional, gentle, sensitive.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
softy

Used informally to describe someone who is easily affected by emotions, often in a negative way to imply weakness.

  • John may look tough, but he's a softy when it comes to animals
  • Don't be such a softy; it's just a movie
sensitive

Describes someone who easily feels emotions and is aware of the feelings of others, often used in both positive and negative contexts.

  • She's very sensitive and gets upset at criticism
  • You need to be sensitive to their situation; they're going through a hard time
gentle

Refers to someone who is kind, soft-hearted, and careful not to hurt others, usually in a positive sense.

  • The doctor has a very gentle touch with his patients
  • He's known for his gentle nature; he treats everyone with respect
emotional

Describes someone who has strong feelings or who shows their feelings easily. It can be used both in positive and negative contexts.

  • She gets very emotional during her favorite TV shows
  • He's an emotional person and often cries at weddings

Examples of usage

  • She's such a softy, she cries at every sad movie.
  • Don't be such a softy, stand up for yourself.
Context #2 | Noun

informal

A soft or weak person, especially in a competitive or challenging situation.

Synonyms

pushover, spineless, weakling.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
softy

This word is often used to describe someone who is kind-hearted or easily influenced due to compassion. It has a slightly informal and affectionate tone.

  • Everyone thinks he's a tough guy, but he's really a softy when it comes to his children
weakling

This term is used to describe someone who is physically or emotionally weak. It is often used in a derogatory way to point out someone's lack of strength.

  • He couldn't lift the heavy box; they called him a weakling
pushover

This term implies someone who is easily convinced or manipulated, usually due to a lack of assertiveness. It is often used in a slightly negative or dismissive way.

  • She never argues with anyone; she's such a pushover
spineless

This word is very negative, describing someone who lacks courage or strength of character. It implies cowardice and is used in situations where someone fails to stand up for themselves or others.

  • He didn't stand up for his friend; everyone thinks he's spineless

Examples of usage

  • Don't be a softy, you need to toughen up to succeed in this industry.
  • He's a softy when it comes to negotiations, always giving in too easily.

Translations

Translations of the word "softy" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น mole

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เคจเคฐเคฎ

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช weich

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ lembut

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ะผ'ัะบะธะน

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ miฤ™kki

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ใ‚„ใ‚ใ‚‰ใ‹ใ„

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท doux

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ blando

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท yumuลŸak

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ๋ถ€๋“œ๋Ÿฌ์šด

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ู†ุงุนู…

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ mฤ›kkรฝ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ mรคkkรฝ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ่ฝฏ็š„

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ mehak

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ mjรบkur

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ะถาฑะผัะฐา›

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒ แƒ‘แƒ˜แƒšแƒ˜

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ yumลŸaq

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ blando

Etymology

The word 'softy' originated in the mid-19th century as a colloquial term to describe a person who is emotionally sensitive or gentle in nature. It is derived from the adjective 'soft,' which has been used to describe tenderness or delicacy since Middle English. Over time, 'softy' has evolved to also refer to someone who is perceived as weak or easily manipulated, especially in challenging situations.

See also: soft, softball, softbox, softcover, soften, softenable, softener, softening, softie, softly, softness, software.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #39,386, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.