softy

softy — noun

1. someone who shows feelings of love, sympathy, or sadness very easily, and who is

1.名詞B1
釋義

someone who shows feelings of love, sympathy, or sadness very easily, and who is gentle and kind rather than strict or tough.

例句

Hyun's father is a big softy who cries every time he watches a sad movie.

big softy — common intensifier pattern

The teacher is a softy at heart and never gives her students detention.

softy at heart — common collocation

同義詞
  • sentimentalist

    more formal; focuses on being easily moved by tender feelings

  • tenderheart

    rare; strongly positive, emphasises gentleness

  • pushover

    negative tone; suggests the person is too easily persuaded, not just kind

反義詞
  • hardliner

    someone who refuses to compromise; opposite of flexible and forgiving

  • toughie

    informal antonym; someone who shows no weak feelings

文法句型

a softy

be a (big/old) softy

用法筆記

Often used affectionately or jokingly about someone who is more sympathetic than they try to appear. Common in the phrases 'a big softy' and 'a softy at heart'.

常見錯誤

❌My brother is a soft guy.' (When meaning he is kind and emotional.)
✅My brother is a softy.
💡'soft guy' is not a natural expression; 'softy' is the right noun.
❌She is a softy person.
✅She is a softy.
💡'Softy' already means 'a person', so it is not used before 'person'.

2. someone who cannot cope with difficulty or pressure, and is therefore seen by ot

2.名詞B2
釋義

someone who cannot cope with difficulty or pressure, and is therefore seen by other people as weak or foolish.

例句

Mayumi called him a softy for quitting after just one day of training camp.

called him a softy — pattern of labelling someone

The other kids teased Aylin as a softy because she was afraid of the dark.

同義詞
  • wimp

    stronger insult; implies cowardice rather than general weakness

  • weakling

    more direct; emphasises lack of physical strength

  • coward

    specifically about fear, not general lack of strength

反義詞
  • tough guy

    someone everyone sees as strong and fearless

  • hardy person

    someone able to endure hardship without complaint

文法句型

a softy

be a softy

用法筆記

This sense is often used as an insult or criticism, especially among children and teenagers. Unlike sense 1, there is no affectionate tone here — calling someone a softy in this sense mocks their perceived weakness.

常見錯誤

❌He is a softy who always helps others.' (When meaning he is kind.)
✅He is a softy who gives in to every request.
💡If the tone is critical, the context must show weakness, not kindness.