Quiet vs. Soft — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Maham Liaqat — Updated on May 14, 2024
"Quiet" refers to the absence or low level of noise, emphasizing silence, while "soft" describes a low intensity of sound, focusing on the gentleness of the noise.
Difference Between Quiet and Soft
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Key Differences
"Quiet" is used to denote an environment or situation that is free from any loud sounds or disturbances, suggesting a state of peace or calmness. On the other hand, "soft" refers to sounds that are gentle and not harsh, typically heard at low volumes.
While a quiet room may have no perceivable sounds, indicating complete silence, a room with soft music has audible sounds played at a low volume, contributing to a soothing ambiance.
People often seek quiet places when they need to concentrate or rest, as the absence of noise minimizes distractions. Conversely, soft sounds can enhance concentration or relaxation without being entirely silent.
In terms of perception, quiet is often preferred in settings like libraries or during meditation where silence is valued, whereas soft sounds are appreciated in environments like spas or when trying to fall asleep, where some noise is desirable but should not be intrusive.
Technologies that promote quiet environments include soundproofing materials and noise-canceling headphones, while those that facilitate soft sounds include speakers with volume control and devices with adjustable sound settings.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Absence or near absence of any sound.
Sound that is gentle, not harsh, and low.
Desired Environment
Libraries, meditation rooms, certain workplaces
Spas, bedrooms, intimate gatherings
Perception
Often associated with peace and tranquility.
Considered calming, gentle, and non-intrusive.
Technological Aids
Soundproofing, noise-canceling headphones.
Volume control on devices, soft sound outputs.
Usage Scenario
Enhancing concentration, promoting rest.
Creating a soothing atmosphere, aiding sleep.
Compare with Definitions
Quiet
Free from disturbance or noise.
The library was quiet enough for intensive study.
Soft
Gentle or tender in manner.
Her soft approach was effective with young children.
Quiet
Without speaking or loud expression.
The class remained quiet during the lecture.
Soft
Mild or subdued in nature.
The soft lighting in the room created a warm ambiance.
Quiet
Making little or no noise
I was as quiet as I could be, but he knew I was there
The car has a quiet, economical engine
Soft
Easy to mould, cut, compress, or fold; not hard or firm to the touch
The ground was soft beneath their feet
Soft margarine
Quiet
Carried out discreetly, secretly, or with moderation
We wanted a quiet wedding
I'll have a quiet word with him
Soft
Having a pleasing quality involving a subtle effect or contrast rather than sharp definition
The moon's pale light cast soft shadows
The soft glow of the lamps
Quiet
Absence of noise or bustle; silence; calm
The ringing of the telephone shattered the early morning quiet
Soft
Sympathetic, lenient, or compassionate, especially to a degree perceived as excessive; not strict or sufficiently strict
Julia's soft heart was touched by his grief
The government is not becoming soft on crime
Quiet
Make or become silent, calm, or still
The journalists quieted down as Judy stepped on to the dais
There are ways of quieting kids down
Soft
(of a drink) not alcoholic.
Quiet
Making or characterized by little or no noise
A quiet library.
A quiet street.
A quiet, well tuned engine.
Soft
(of a market, currency, or commodity) falling or likely to fall in value
Now a new factor looms: soft oil prices
The rouble, so soft that it buys nothing worth having
Quiet
Free of turmoil and agitation; calm
A quiet lake.
A quiet place in the country.
Soft
(of water) containing relatively low concentrations of dissolved calcium and magnesium salts and therefore lathering easily with soap
You use only half as much soap when you clean with soft water
Quiet
Providing or allowing relaxation; restful; soothing
A quiet afternoon nap.
A quiet tune on the flute.
Soft
Foolish; silly
He must be going soft in the head
Quiet
Not showy or bright; subdued
A room decorated in quiet colors.
Soft
(of a consonant) pronounced as a fricative (as c in ice).
Quiet
Restrained, as in style; understated
A quiet strength.
A quiet life.
Soft
In a quiet or gentle way
I can just speak soft and she'll hear me
Quiet
Out of public scrutiny; known or discussed by few
Wanted to keep the incident quiet until after the election.
Soft
In a weak or foolish way
Don't talk soft
Quiet
The quality or condition of being quiet
"A menacing quiet fills the empty streets" (Time).
Soft
Yielding readily to pressure or weight
A soft melon.
A soft pillow.
Quiet
To cause to become quiet
The teacher quieted the students.
Soft
Easily molded, cut, or worked
Soft wood.
Quiet
To make (a title) secure by freeing from uncertainties or adverse claims as to the ownership.
Soft
(Sports) Not tense and therefore capable of absorbing the impact of a ball or puck and of catching, receiving, or controlling it
A receiver with soft hands.
Quiet
To become quiet
The child wouldn't quiet down for me.
Soft
Out of condition; flabby
Got soft sitting at a desk all day.
Quiet
With little or no sound; free of disturbing noise.
I can't hear the music; it is too quiet.
Soft
Smooth or fine to the touch
A soft fabric.
Soft fur.
Quiet
Having little motion or activity; calm.
The sea was quiet
A quiet night at home
All quiet on the Western front
Soft
Not loud, harsh, or irritating
A soft voice.
Quiet
Not busy, of low quantity.
The traffic was quiet for a Monday morning.
Business was quiet for the season.
Soft
Not brilliant or glaring; subdued
Soft colors.
Quiet
Not talking much or not talking loudly; reserved.
He's a very quiet man usually, but is very chatty after a few beers.
Soft
Not sharply drawn or delineated
Soft charcoal shading.
A scene filmed in soft focus.
Quiet
Not showy; undemonstrative.
A quiet dress
Quiet colours
A quiet movement
Soft
Mild; balmy
A soft breeze.
Quiet
(software) Requiring little or no interaction.
A quiet install
Soft
Tender or affectionate
A soft glance.
Quiet
(transitive) To cause (someone or something) to become quiet.
Can you quiet your child? He’s making lots of noise.
The umpire quieted the crowd so the game could continue in peace.
Soft
Attracted or emotionally involved
He has been soft on her for years.
Quiet
(intransitive) To become quiet or calm.
When you quiet, we can start talking.
Soft
Not stern; lenient
A coach who was soft on his players.
Quiet
The absence of sound; quietness.
There was a strange quiet in the normally very lively plaza.
We need a bit of quiet before we can start the show.
Soft
Lacking strength of character; weak
Too soft for the pressure of being a spy.
Quiet
The absence of movement; stillness, tranquility.
Soft
(Informal) Simple-minded or foolish
He's soft in the head.
Quiet
The absence of disturbance or trouble; peace, security.
Soft
Not demanding or difficult; easy
A soft job.
Quiet
Be quiet.
Quiet! The children are sleeping.
Soft
Based on conciliation or compromise
Took a soft line toward their opponents.
Quiet
In a state of rest or calm; without stir, motion, or agitation; still; as, a quiet sea; quiet air.
They . . . were quiet all the night, saying, In the morning, when it is day, we shall kill him.
Soft
Gradually declining in trend; not firm
A soft economy.
A soft computer market.
Quiet
Free from noise or disturbance; hushed; still.
Soft
(Sports) Scored on a shot that the goalie should have blocked
A soft goal.
Quiet
Not excited or anxious; calm; peaceful; placid; settled; as, a quiet life; a quiet conscience.
That son, who on the quiet state of manSuch trouble brought.
Soft
Informal and entertaining without confronting difficult issues or hard facts
Limited the discussion to soft topics.
Quiet
Not giving offense; not exciting disorder or trouble; not turbulent; gentle; mild; meek; contented.
The ornament of a meek and quiet spirit.
I will sit as quiet as a lamb.
Soft
Using or based on data that is not readily quantifiable or amenable to experimental verification or refutation
The lawyer downplayed the soft evidence.
Quiet
Not showy; not such as to attract attention; undemonstrative; as, a quiet dress; quiet colors; a quiet movement.
Soft
Softcore.
Quiet
The quality or state of being quiet, or in repose; as an hour or a time of quiet.
Soft
Being a turn in a specific direction at an angle less acute than other possible routes
A soft right.
Quiet
Freedom from disturbance, noise, or alarm; stillness; tranquillity; peace; security.
And join with thee, calm Peace and Quiet.
Soft
Of or relating to a paper currency as distinct from a hard currency backed by gold.
Quiet
To stop motion in; to still; to reduce to a state of rest, or of silence.
Soft
Having low dissolved mineral content
Soft water.
Quiet
To calm; to appease; to pacify; to lull; to allay; to tranquillize; as, to quiet the passions; to quiet clamors or disorders; to quiet pain or grief.
Quiet yourselves, I pray, and be at peace.
Soft
Nonalcoholic.
Quiet
To become still, silent, or calm; - often with down; as, be soon quieted down.
Soft
Nonaddictive or mildly addictive. Used of certain drugs.
Quiet
A period of calm weather;
There was a lull in the storm
Soft
Having a low or lower power of penetration
Soft x-rays.
Quiet
An untroubled state; free from disturbances
Soft
Sibilant rather than guttural, as c in certain and g in gem.
Quiet
The absence of sound;
He needed silence in order to sleep
The street was quiet
Soft
Voiced and weakly articulated
A soft consonant.
Quiet
A disposition free from stress or emotion
Soft
Palatalized, as certain consonants in Slavic languages.
Quiet
Become quiet or quieter;
The audience fell silent when the speaker entered
Soft
Unprotected against or vulnerable to attack
A soft target.
Quiet
Make calm or still;
Quiet the dragons of worry and fear
Soft
In a soft manner; gently.
Quiet
Characterized by an absence or near absence of agitation or activity;
A quiet life
A quiet throng of onlookers
Quiet peace-loving people
The factions remained quiet for almost 10 years
Soft
Easily yielding to pressure; easily impressed, molded, or cut; not firm in resisting; impressible; yielding; also, malleable; - opposed to hard; as, a soft bed; a soft peach; soft earth; soft wood or metal.
Quiet
Free of noise or uproar; or making little if any sound;
A quiet audience at the concert
The room was dark and quiet
Soft
Not rough, rugged, or harsh to the touch; smooth; delicate; fine; as, soft silk; a soft skin.
They that wear soft clothing are in king's houses.
Quiet
Not showy or obtrusive;
Clothes in quiet good taste
Soft
Hence, agreeable to feel, taste, or inhale; not irritating to the tissues; as, a soft liniment; soft wines.
Quiet
In a softened tone;
Hushed voices
Muted trumpets
A subdued whisper
A quiet reprimand
Soft
Not harsh or offensive to the sight; not glaring; pleasing to the eye; not exciting by intensity of color or violent contrast; as, soft hues or tints.
The sun, shining upon the upper part of the clouds . . . made the softest lights imaginable.
Quiet
Without untoward incident or disruption;
A placid existence
Quiet times
Soft
Not harsh or rough in sound; gentle and pleasing to the ear; flowing; as, soft whispers of music.
Her voice was ever soft,Gentle, and low, - an excellent thing in woman.
Soft were my numbers; who could take offense?
Quiet
Free from disturbance;
A ribbon of sand between the angry sea and the placid bay
The quiet waters of a lagoon
A lake of tranquil blue water reflecting a tranquil blue sky
A smooth channel crossing
Scarcely a ripple on the still water
Unruffled water
Soft
Easily yielding; susceptible to influence; flexible; gentle; kind.
I would to God my heart were flint, like Edward's;Or Edward's soft and pitiful, like mine.
The meek or soft shall inherit the earth.
Quiet
Of the sun; characterized by a low level of surface phenomena like sun spots e.g.
Soft
Expressing gentleness, tenderness, or the like; mild; conciliatory; courteous; kind; as, soft eyes.
A soft answer turneth away wrath.
A face with gladness overspread,Soft smiles, by human kindness bred.
Quiet
With little or no activity or no agitation (`quiet' is a nonstandard variant for `quietly');
Her hands rested quietly in her lap
The rock star was quietly led out the back door
Sit here as quiet as you can
Soft
Effeminate; not courageous or manly, weak.
A longing after sensual pleasures is a dissolution of the spirit of a man, and makes it loose, soft, and wandering.
Quiet
Making very little noise.
The quiet hum of the refrigerator was almost unnoticeable.
Soft
Gentle in action or motion; easy.
On her soft axle, white she paces even,And bears thee soft with the smooth air along.
Quiet
Characterized by tranquility.
The quiet beach at sunrise offered a perfect retreat.
Soft
Weak in character; impressible.
The deceiver soon found this soft place of Adam's.
Quiet
Subdued or carried out discretely.
He made a quiet exit from the party.
Soft
Somewhat weak in intellect.
He made soft fellows stark noddies, and such as were foolish quite mad.
Soft
Quiet; undisturbed; paceful; as, soft slumbers.
Soft
Having, or consisting of, a gentle curve or curves; not angular or abrupt; as, soft outlines.
Soft
Not tinged with mineral salts; adapted to decompose soap; as, soft water is the best for washing.
Soft
Applied to a palatal, a sibilant, or a dental consonant (as g in gem, c in cent, etc.) as distinguished from a guttural mute (as g in go, c in cone, etc.); - opposed to hard.
Soft
A soft or foolish person; an idiot.
Soft
Softly; without roughness or harshness; gently; quietly.
A knight soft riding toward them.
Soft
Be quiet; hold; stop; not so fast.
Soft, you; a word or two before you go.
Soft
Lacking in hardness relatively or comparatively
Soft
Metaphorically soft;
My father is a soft touch
Soft light
A soft rain
A soft Southern drawl
Soft brown eyes
A soft glance
Soft
Of sound; relatively low in volume;
Soft voices
Soft music
Soft
Easily hurt;
Soft hands
A baby's delicate skin
Soft
Used chiefly as a direction or description in music;
The piano passages in the composition
Soft
Used of beverages; not containing alcohol;
Nonalcoholic beverages
Soft drinks
Soft
Of speech sounds; characterized by a hissing or hushing sound (as `s' and `sh')
Soft
Tolerant or lenient;
Indulgent parents risk spoiling their children
Procedures are lax and discipline is weak
Too soft on the children
Soft
Having little impact;
An easy pat on the shoulder
Gentle rain
A gentle breeze
A soft (or light) tapping at the window
Soft
Not burdensome or demanding; borne or done easily and without hardship;
What a cushy job!
A soft job
Soft
In a relaxed manner; or without hardship;
Just wanted to take it easy
Soft
Producing a sound of low volume and intensity.
She preferred the soft music in the background.
Soft
Not harsh or aggressive in sound.
His soft voice was calming during the negotiation.
Soft
Easily moldable or yielding to pressure.
The soft pillow adjusted to the shape of her head.
Common Curiosities
How can I make my environment quieter?
Using soundproofing materials or devices like noise-canceling headphones can help reduce noise.
Is a quiet place always conducive to sleep?
While many find quiet places ideal for sleep, others may prefer soft sounds like white noise.
What are typical scenarios where soft sounds are preferred?
Soft sounds are often preferred in environments aiming to relax or soothe, such as spas or nurseries.
What is the difference between a soft voice and a quiet voice?
A soft voice refers to the gentle quality of the voice, while a quiet voice refers to the low volume.
Are there health benefits to a quiet environment?
Yes, quiet environments can reduce stress and promote mental well-being.
What does it mean when a room is described as quiet?
It typically means there is little to no noise present, allowing for peace and focus.
Can music be both quiet and soft?
Yes, music can be played quietly, with a low volume, and softly, with gentle tones.
Can a place be too quiet?
Yes, some people may find extremely quiet environments unsettling or uncomfortable.
Why is soft music often used in meditation?
Soft music can enhance relaxation without being as stark as complete silence.
Is soft lighting similar to soft sound?
Conceptually, yes; both create a gentle, soothing atmosphere without being overwhelming.
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Written by
Maham Liaqat
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
