What does softcover mean?
Softcover denotes a book or publication with a flexible cover, normally made from paper rather than a rigid board. It is especially associated with inexpensive, portable editions of novels, textbooks, reference works, and other printed material, although some publishers also issue premium softcover editions. In ordinary English, the term is frequently treated as a synonym for paperback, but it can describe a flexible binding more generally. The word is used both as a noun and, commonly, as a modifier: a book may appear "in softcover" or be described as having a "softcover edition." Its principal opposite is hardcover, in which the pages are attached to rigid boards. Softcover is therefore useful when the emphasis is on flexibility, lower manufacturing cost, or ease of carrying rather than durability. Although the two terms overlap considerably, flexible-bound books with unusual materials may be more precisely called softcover than paperback.
nounA book or other publication bound in a flexible, usually paper-covered cover rather than a rigid one. The term may also refer to the binding or format itself.
- A book or publication issued with a flexible, usually paper-covered binding.
- The flexible binding or publication format itself.
"The novel will be published in softcover next spring."
"I bought an inexpensive softcover copy of the history."
"The first edition appeared in softcover before the publisher released a limited hardcover version."
Used for multiple books or publications in softcover bindings, and occasionally for the binding or format itself.
"Several classic works appear as affordable softcovers."
A softcover yields to the reader: flexible where a hardback holds its shape.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does softcover come from?
Softcover is an English compound formed from the words "soft" and "cover." The combination developed to describe a publication protected by a flexible outer covering rather than rigid boards. Its elements belong to familiar English word families represented by forms such as "softness" and "soften" on one side and "covering" and "uncover" on the other.
How softcover is actually used
In everyday publishing, softcover is often used interchangeably with paperback, though it can more broadly describe a flexible binding. The word is also commonly used attributively in terms such as "softcover edition."
Easily confused with softcover
Paperback describes a book bound in a paper-covered flexible case, while softcover more generally refers to any flexible, usually soft-covered binding.