Firm vs. Soft — What's the Difference?

Having a solid, almost unyielding surface or structure

Easy to mould, cut, compress, or fold; not hard or firm to the touch

Strongly felt and unlikely to change

Having a pleasing quality involving a subtle effect or contrast rather than sharp definition

Make more solid or resilient

Sympathetic, lenient, or compassionate, especially to a degree perceived as excessive; not strict or sufficiently strict

In a resolute and determined manner

(of a drink) not alcoholic.

A business concern, especially one involving a partnership of two or more people

(of a market, currency, or commodity) falling or likely to fall in value

Resistant to externally applied pressure.

(of water) containing relatively low concentrations of dissolved calcium and magnesium salts and therefore lathering easily with soap

Marked by or indicating the tone and resiliency of healthy tissue

Foolish; silly

Securely fixed in place

(of a consonant) pronounced as a fricative (as c in ice).

Indicating or possessed of determination or resolution

In a quiet or gentle way

Constant; steadfast

In a weak or foolish way

Not subject to change; fixed and definite

Yielding readily to pressure or weight

Unfluctuating; steady

Easily molded, cut, or worked

Strong and sure

(Sports) Not tense and therefore capable of absorbing the impact of a ball or puck and of catching, receiving, or controlling it

To make or become firm. Often used with up.

Out of condition; flabby

Without wavering; resolutely

Smooth or fine to the touch

A business enterprise.

Not loud, harsh, or irritating

An unincorporated business, particularly a partnership.

Not brilliant or glaring; subdued

The name or designation under which a company transacts business.

Not sharply drawn or delineated

A business partnership; the name under which it trades.

Mild; balmy

A business enterprise, however organized.

Tender or affectionate

(slang) A criminal gang, especially based around football hooliganism.

Attracted or emotionally involved

Steadfast, secure, solid (in position)

Not stern; lenient

Fixed (in opinion).

Lacking strength of character; weak

Insistent upon something, not accepting dissent.

(Informal) Simple-minded or foolish

Durable, rigid (material state)

Not demanding or difficult; easy

Firmly, steadily

Based on conciliation or compromise

(transitive) To make firm or strong; fix securely.

Gradually declining in trend; not firm

(transitive) To make compact or resistant to pressure; solidify.

(Sports) Scored on a shot that the goalie should have blocked

(intransitive) To become firm; stabilise.

Informal and entertaining without confronting difficult issues or hard facts

(intransitive) To improve after decline.

Using or based on data that is not readily quantifiable or amenable to experimental verification or refutation

To shorten (of betting odds).

Softcore.

To select (a higher education institution) as one's preferred choice, so as to enrol automatically if one's grades match the conditional offer.

Being a turn in a specific direction at an angle less acute than other possible routes

Fixed; hence, closely compressed; compact; substantial; hard; solid; - applied to the matter of bodies; as, firm flesh; firm muscles, firm wood.

Of or relating to a paper currency as distinct from a hard currency backed by gold.

Not easily excited or disturbed; unchanging in purpose; fixed; steady; constant; stable; unshaken; not easily changed in feelings or will; strong; as, a firm believer; a firm friend; a firm adherent.

Having low dissolved mineral content

Solid; - opposed to fluid; as, firm land.

Nonalcoholic.

Indicating firmness; as, a firm tread; a firm countenance.

Nonaddictive or mildly addictive. Used of certain drugs.

The name, title, or style, under which a company transacts business; a partnership of two or more persons; a commercial house; as, the firm of Hope & Co.

Having a low or lower power of penetration

To fix; to settle; to confirm; to establish.

Sibilant rather than guttural, as c in certain and g in gem.

To fix or direct with firmness.

Voiced and weakly articulated

Members of a business organization that owns or operates one or more establishments;

Palatalized, as certain consonants in Slavic languages.

Become taut or tauter;

Unprotected against or vulnerable to attack

Make taut or tauter;

In a soft manner; gently.

Marked by firm determination or resolution; not shakable;

Easily yielding to pressure; easily impressed, molded, or cut; not firm in resisting; impressible; yielding; also, malleable; - opposed to hard; as, a soft bed; a soft peach; soft earth; soft wood or metal.

Not soft or yielding to pressure;

Not rough, rugged, or harsh to the touch; smooth; delicate; fine; as, soft silk; a soft skin.

Strong and sure;

Hence, agreeable to feel, taste, or inhale; not irritating to the tissues; as, a soft liniment; soft wines.

Not subject to revision or change;

Not harsh or offensive to the sight; not glaring; pleasing to the eye; not exciting by intensity of color or violent contrast; as, soft hues or tints.

(of especially a person's physical features) not shaking or trembling;

Not harsh or rough in sound; gentle and pleasing to the ear; flowing; as, soft whispers of music.

Not liable to fluctuate or especially to fall;

Easily yielding; susceptible to influence; flexible; gentle; kind.

Securely established;

Expressing gentleness, tenderness, or the like; mild; conciliatory; courteous; kind; as, soft eyes.

Marked by the tone and resiliency of healthy tissue;

Effeminate; not courageous or manly, weak.

Pleasingly firm and fresh and making a crunching noise when chewed;

Gentle in action or motion; easy.

Securely fixed in place;

Weak in character; impressible.

Unwavering in devotion to friend or vow or cause;

Somewhat weak in intellect.

With resolute determination;

Quiet; undisturbed; paceful; as, soft slumbers.

Having, or consisting of, a gentle curve or curves; not angular or abrupt; as, soft outlines.

Not tinged with mineral salts; adapted to decompose soap; as, soft water is the best for washing.

Applied to a palatal, a sibilant, or a dental consonant (as g in gem, c in cent, etc.) as distinguished from a guttural mute (as g in go, c in cone, etc.); - opposed to hard.

A soft or foolish person; an idiot.

Softly; without roughness or harshness; gently; quietly.

Be quiet; hold; stop; not so fast.

Lacking in hardness relatively or comparatively

Metaphorically soft;

Of sound; relatively low in volume;

Easily hurt;

Used chiefly as a direction or description in music;

Used of beverages; not containing alcohol;

Of speech sounds; characterized by a hissing or hushing sound (as `s' and `sh')

Tolerant or lenient;

Having little impact;

Not burdensome or demanding; borne or done easily and without hardship;

In a relaxed manner; or without hardship;