What does softie mean?
A softie is a person who is notably sensitive, gentle, or easily persuaded. The term is most often affectionate, especially when describing someone who cannot bear to disappoint others or who responds sympathetically to other people’s difficulties. In more critical contexts, however, it can suggest that someone is too sentimental, compliant, or weak to take a firm stand. The word is common in informal British, American, Australian, and New Zealand English, and often appears in expressions such as “complete softie.” It also has a variant spelling, “softy,” but “softie” is more usual today. Although the negative sense is related to the positive one, context and tone largely determine whether being called a softie is affectionate or disparaging.
nounAn affectionate term for someone who is sensitive, easily persuaded, or inclined to be lenient. It can also refer, sometimes disparagingly, to someone regarded as weak or lacking resolve.
- An affectionate term for someone who is sensitive, gentle, easily persuaded, or unable to refuse others.
- A disparaging term for someone considered weak, sentimental, or insufficiently resolute.
"She was a softie and could never refuse a request for help."
"The children persuaded their softie of a father to stay up another hour."
"His opponents dismissed him as a political softie who lacked the nerve to challenge the proposal."
The standard plural form; “softys” occurs occasionally as a spelling variant but is not preferred.
"Her friends called them both softies because they could never turn down an invitation."
“Softie” began life as “softy,” but the extra syllable gave it a warmer, more familiar sound—and helped turn softness into an affectionate label.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does softie come from?
The word developed in 19th-century English as a diminutive or noun formed from “soft,” originally as “softy” and later as “softie.” “Soft” comes from Old English sōfte, an inherited Germanic adjective related to words in other Germanic languages. The vocabulary of softness later produced forms such as “soften” and “softness,” while the informal noun acquired both affectionate and disparaging uses.
How softie is actually used
Chiefly informal. It is usually affectionate when used by someone close to the person described, but can sound dismissive or condescending when used critically.
Easily confused with softie
“Softie” and “softy” are variant spellings of the same informal noun, although “softie” is the more common contemporary form.