so ft po rn N‑UNCOUNT Soft porn is pornography that shows or describes sex, but not very violent or unpleasant sex, or not in a very detailed way.
so ft se ll also soft-sell N‑SING A soft sell is a method of selling or advertising that involves persuading people in a gentle way rather than putting a lot of pressure on people to buy things. [BUSINESS ] □ I think more customers probably prefer a soft sell.
so ft shou l|der (soft shoulders ) N‑COUNT On a busy road such as a freeway, the soft shoulder is the area at the side of the road where vehicles are allowed to stop in an emergency. [AM ] in BRIT, use hard shoulder
so ft ski lls N‑PLURAL Soft skills are interpersonal skills such as the ability to communicate well with other people and to work in a team.
so ft-soa p (soft-soaps , soft-soaping , soft-soaped ) VERB If you soft-soap someone, you flatter them or tell them what you think they want to hear in order to try and persuade them to do something. □ [V n] The government is not soft-soaping the voters here.
so ft-spo ken ADJ Someone who is soft-spoken has a quiet, gentle voice. □ He was a gentle, soft-spoken intelligent man.
so ft to y (soft toys ) N‑COUNT Soft toys are toys that are made of cloth filled with a soft material and which look like animals. [BRIT ] in AM, use stuffed animal , stuffed toy
soft|ware ◆◇◇ /sɒ ftweə r , [AM ] sɔː f-/ N‑UNCOUNT Computer programs are referred to as software . Compare hardware . [COMPUTING ] □ …the people who write the software for big computer projects. COLLOCATIONS software NOUN
verb + software : download, install, load; develop; update
adjective + software : antivirus; malicious; sophisticated
noun + software : computer; gaming; proprietary; open-source
soft|wood /sɒ ftwʊd, [AM ] sɔː ft-/ (softwoods ) N‑VAR Softwood is the wood from trees such as pines, that grow quickly and can be cut easily.
softy /sɒ fti, [AM ] sɔː fti/ → see softie
sog|gy /sɒ gi/ (soggier , soggiest ) ADJ Something that is soggy is unpleasantly wet. □ …soggy cheese sandwiches.
soi|gnée /swɑː nje I , [AM ] -je I / The spelling soigné is also used when referring to a man. ADJ If you describe a person as soignée , you mean that they are very elegant. [FORMAL ] □ …looking very soignée in black.
soil ◆◇◇ /sɔ I l/ (soils , soiling , soiled )
1 N‑VAR Soil is the substance on the surface of the earth in which plants grow. □ We have the most fertile soil in Europe. □ …regions with sandy soils.
2 N‑UNCOUNT You can use soil in expressions like British soil to refer to a country's territory. □ The issue of foreign troops on Turkish soil is a sensitive one.
3 VERB If you soil something, you make it dirty. [FORMAL ] □ [V n] Young people don't want to do things that soil their hands. □ [V n] He raised his eyes slightly as though her words might somehow soil him. ● soiled ADJ □ …a soiled white apron.
soi|ree /swɑː re I , [AM ] swɑːre I / (soirees ) also soirée N‑COUNT A soiree is a social gathering held in the evening. [FORMAL ]
so|journ /sɒ dʒɜː r n, [AM ] soʊ dʒ-/ (sojourns ) N‑COUNT A sojourn is a short stay in a place that is not your home. [LITERARY ]
sol|ace /sɒ l I s/ N‑UNCOUNT Solace is a feeling of comfort that makes you feel less sad. [FORMAL ] □ I found solace in writing when my father died three years ago.
so|lar /soʊ lə r /
1 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Solar is used to describe things relating to the sun. □ A total solar eclipse is due to take place some time tomorrow.
2 ADJ [usu ADJ n] Solar power is obtained from the sun's light and heat.
so |lar ce ll (solar cells ) N‑COUNT A solar cell is a device that produces electricity from the sun's rays.
so|lar|ium /soʊleə riəm/ (solariums ) N‑COUNT A solarium is a place equipped with special lamps, where you can go to get an artificial suntan.
so|lar plex|us /soʊ lə r ple ksəs/ N‑SING Your solar plexus is the part of your stomach, below your ribs, where it is painful if you are hit hard.
so |lar sys|tem (solar systems ) N‑COUNT [usu sing] The solar system is the sun and all the planets that go round it.
sold /soʊ ld/ Sold is the past tense and past participle of sell .
sol|der /soʊ ldə r , [AM ] sɑː də r / (solders , soldering , soldered )
1 VERB If you solder two pieces of metal together, you join them by melting a small piece of soft metal and putting it between them so that it holds them together after it has cooled. □ [V n] Fewer workers are needed to solder circuit boards. [Also V ]
2 N‑UNCOUNT Solder is the soft metal used for soldering.
so l|der|ing iron (soldering irons ) N‑COUNT A soldering iron is a tool used to solder things together.
sol|dier ◆◆◇ /soʊ ldʒə r / (soldiers , soldiering , soldiered ) N‑COUNT A soldier is a person who works in an army, especially a person who is not an officer.
▸ soldier on PHRASAL VERB If you soldier on at something, you continue to do it although it is difficult or unpleasant. □ [V P ] The government has soldiered on as if nothing were wrong. COLLOCATIONS soldier NOUN 1
noun + soldier : rebel; toy