What does squashiness mean?
Squashiness is the noun meaning the quality of being soft, yielding, or easily compressed. It describes both the physical give of a material and, by extension, the impression conveyed by something that feels unstable, overly soft, or easily crushed. The word is especially associated with food, cushions, upholstery, and other objects that deform under pressure. It can also carry a figurative implication of fragility or lack of firm structure. “Squashiness” is less common than the adjective “squashy” and the informal alternative “squishiness,” but it is useful when precision matters and the quality itself, rather than an object possessing it, needs to be discussed.
nounThe quality of being soft, yielding, or easily compressed.
- The quality of being soft, yielding, or easily compressed.
"The overripe fruit had a troubling squashiness that made it unsuitable for slicing."
"The cushion's excessive squashiness made it uncomfortable to sit on for long."
"She tested the squashiness of the avocado before deciding that it was ripe."
Normally used as an uncountable noun; a plural is uncommon and unnecessary in ordinary usage.
"The fruit's excessive squashiness was obvious even before she pressed it."
Squashiness describes the moment a rigid surface gives way beneath your fingers.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does squashiness come from?
The word was formed in the 19th century by adding the suffix “-iness” to “squash.” The verb “squash” had long been used for flattening, crushing, or compressing something with force. Its earlier history may ultimately be connected with the similarly spelled “squash,” now largely obsolete, for a plant used to stop up a hole.
Related word forms
How squashiness is actually used
This is a relatively uncommon and more literary noun. In everyday speech, “softness” or “squishiness” is often used instead.