Fluffy vs. Soft — What's the Difference?

Of, like, or covered with fluff

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

Frivolous or silly; lacking depth or seriousness

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

Of, relating to, or resembling fluff.

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

Covered with fluff.

(of a drink) not alcoholic.

Light and airy; soft

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

Light or frivolous

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

Lacking depth or precision; fuzzy

Foolish; silly

Covered with fluff.

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

Light; soft; airy.

In a quiet or gentle way

(colloquial) Warm and comforting.

In a weak or foolish way

(colloquial) Not clearly defined or explained; fuzzy.

Yielding readily to pressure or weight

Lightweight; superficial; lacking depth or seriousness.

Easily molded, cut, or worked

(informal) Someone or something that has a fluffy texture.

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

A person who is superficial, who lacks depth or seriousness.

Out of condition; flabby

(NZ) A babycino frothy milk drink.

Smooth or fine to the touch

Pertaining to, or resembling, fluff or nap; soft and downy.

Not loud, harsh, or irritating

Like down or as soft as down

Not brilliant or glaring; subdued

Not sharply drawn or delineated

Mild; balmy

Tender or affectionate

Attracted or emotionally involved

Not stern; lenient

Lacking strength of character; weak

(Informal) Simple-minded or foolish

Not demanding or difficult; easy

Based on conciliation or compromise

Gradually declining in trend; not firm

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

Informal and entertaining without confronting difficult issues or hard facts

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

Softcore.

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

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

Having low dissolved mineral content

Nonalcoholic.

Nonaddictive or mildly addictive. Used of certain drugs.

Having a low or lower power of penetration

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

Voiced and weakly articulated

Palatalized, as certain consonants in Slavic languages.

Unprotected against or vulnerable to attack

In a soft manner; gently.

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 rough, rugged, or harsh to the touch; smooth; delicate; fine; as, soft silk; a soft skin.

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

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.

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

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

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

Effeminate; not courageous or manly, weak.

Gentle in action or motion; easy.

Weak in character; impressible.

Somewhat weak in intellect.

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;