soda /soʊ də/ (sodas )
1 N‑VAR Soda is the same as soda water .
2 N‑VAR Soda is a sweet fizzy drink. [AM ] □ …a glass of diet soda. ● N‑COUNT A soda is a bottle of soda. □ They had liquor for the adults and sodas for the children.
3 → see also bicarbonate of soda , caustic soda
so da crack|er (soda crackers ) N‑COUNT A soda cracker is a thin, square, salty biscuit. [AM ]
so da foun|tain (soda fountains ) N‑COUNT A soda fountain is a counter in a drugstore or café, where snacks and non-alcoholic drinks are prepared and sold. [AM ]
so da pop (soda pops ) N‑UNCOUNT Soda pop is a sweet fizzy drink. [AM ] ● N‑COUNT A soda pop is a bottle or a glass of soda pop.
so da si|phon (soda siphons ) also soda syphon N‑COUNT A soda siphon is a special bottle for putting soda water in a drink.
so da wa|ter also soda-water N‑VAR Soda water is fizzy water used for mixing with alcoholic drinks and fruit juice. ● N‑COUNT A glass of soda water can be referred to as a soda water .
sod|den /sɒ d ə n/ ADJ Something that is sodden is extremely wet. □ We stripped off our sodden clothes.
-sodden /-sɒd ə n/
1 COMB [usu ADJ n] -sodden combines with 'drink' and with the names of alcoholic drinks to form adjectives which describe someone who has drunk too much alcohol and is in a bad state as a result. □ He portrays a drink-sodden reporter.
2 COMB [usu ADJ n] -sodden combines with words such as 'rain' to form adjectives which describe someone or something that has become extremely wet as a result of the thing that is mentioned. □ The porter put our scruffy rain-sodden luggage on a trolley.
sod|ding /sɒ d I ŋ/ ADJ [ADJ n] Sodding is used by some people to emphasize what they are saying, especially when they are angry or annoyed. [BRIT , INFORMAL , RUDE , EMPHASIS ]
so|dium /soʊ diəm/
1 N‑UNCOUNT Sodium is a silvery-white chemical element which combines with other chemicals. Salt is a sodium compound. □ The fish or seafood is heavily salted with pure sodium chloride. □ …one level teaspoon of sodium bicarbonate powder.
2 ADJ [ADJ n] Sodium lighting gives out a strong orange light. □ …the orange glow of the sodium streetlamps.
sodo|my /sɒ dəmi/ N‑UNCOUNT Sodomy is anal sexual intercourse.
sofa /soʊ fə/ (sofas ) N‑COUNT A sofa is a long, comfortable seat with a back and usually with arms, which two or three people can sit on.
so fa bed (sofa beds ) also sofa-bed N‑COUNT A sofa bed is a type of sofa whose seat folds out so that it can also be used as a bed.
soft ◆◆◇ /sɒ ft, [AM ] sɔː ft/ (softer , softest )
1 ADJ Something that is soft is pleasant to touch, and not rough or hard. □ Regular use of a body lotion will keep the skin soft and supple. □ …warm, soft, white towels. ● soft|ness N‑UNCOUNT □ The sea air robbed her hair of its softness.
2 ADJ Something that is soft changes shape or bends easily when you press it. □ She lay down on the soft, comfortable bed. □ Add enough milk to form a soft dough. □ …soft cheese.
3 ADJ Something that has a soft appearance has smooth curves rather than sharp or distinct edges. □ This is a smart, yet soft and feminine look. □ …the soft curves of her body. ● soft|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ She wore a softly tailored suit. □ …a fresh, modern hairstyle which has long layers falling softly on the neck.
4 ADJ Something that is soft is very gentle and has no force. For example, a soft sound or voice is quiet and not harsh. A soft light or colour is pleasant to look at because it is not bright. □ There was a soft tapping on my door. □ When he woke again he could hear soft music. ● soft|ly ADV [ADV with v] □ She crossed the softly lit room. □ She bent forward and kissed him softly.
5 ADJ [usu v-link ADJ ] If you are soft on someone, you do not treat them as strictly or severely as you should do. [DISAPPROVAL ] □ [+ on ] The president says the measure is soft and weak on criminals.
6 ADJ If you say that someone has a soft heart , you mean that they are sensitive and sympathetic towards other people. [APPROVAL ] □ Her rather tough and worldly exterior hides a very soft and sensitive heart.
7 ADJ You use soft to describe a way of life that is easy and involves very little work. □ The regime at Latchmere could be seen as a soft option.
8 ADJ [ADJ n] Soft drugs are drugs, such as cannabis, which are illegal but which many people do not consider to be strong or harmful.
9 ADJ A soft target is a place or person that can easily be attacked. □ Women who carry cash about in the streets, as they very often have to, are a very soft target.
10 ADJ Soft water does not contain much of the mineral calcium and so makes bubbles easily when you use soap.
11 PHRASE If you have a soft spot for someone or something, you feel a great deal of affection for them or like them a lot. □ Terry had a soft spot for me.
12 a soft touch → see touch SYNONYMS soft ADJ
1
silky: Claire smoothed Katy's silky hair.
velvety: The grass grew thick and velvety.