What does softhearted mean?
Softhearted describes someone who is notably kind, compassionate, and tender in dealing with other people. It implies that the person feels sympathy readily and is reluctant to respond with cruelty, harshness, or an unsympathetic attitude. The word can be approving, especially when describing a generous or caring individual, but it may also suggest that someone is overly sentimental or unwilling to impose necessary limits. Softhearted behavior appears in everyday descriptions of relationships, leadership, fictional characters, and acts of kindness. The expression is formed from “soft” and “heart,” conveying the idea of a heart that is tender rather than hard or insensitive. It is related in meaning to “kindhearted,” “tender-hearted,” and “compassionate,” while “hardhearted” expresses the opposite quality.
adjectiveKind, compassionate, and easily moved to pity or tenderness. A softhearted person is generous in spirit and reluctant to be harsh or severe.
- Kind, compassionate, and easily moved to pity or tenderness.
"Although he was a demanding coach, he remained softhearted and encouraged his players whenever they struggled."
"My softhearted neighbor brought food to the family after they lost their home."
"The novel's softhearted protagonist forgives the people who betrayed him."
Softhearted people may set firm boundaries while still treating others with kindness.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does softhearted come from?
“Softhearted” is a compound adjective formed in the 19th century from “soft” and “heart,” with the sense of having a tender or easily moved heart. “Soft” ultimately comes through Old English from a Germanic root related to smoothness and gentleness, while “heart” comes from Old English and ultimately from a Proto-Germanic word for the organ of the heart. Both elements have long-standing English relatives, including “heartfelt,” “hearten,” and “heartbroken.”
Related word forms
How softhearted is actually used
Generally warm and approving, but it can suggest excessive leniency or sentimentality. The adjective is often written with a hyphen: “soft-hearted.”
Easily confused with softhearted
A softhearted person is kind and compassionate, whereas a softhead is someone who is foolish or impractical.