Phrase guide

soft c

noun · 1 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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  • Received-Pronunciation: /sɒft siː/
  • US: säft sē
  • US: /sɔft si/

1

noun

Meaning 1

In many languages, a letter "c" which is not pronounced as a velar stop (/k/, like English "k") but as a sibilant (/s/, like English "s") or an affricative (/tʃ/, like English "ch").

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Topics: human-sciences, linguistics, phonology, sciences

Examples

  • In English, the "c" sound in "cent", "central" and "circuit" as distinct from the hard c in "cat" and "cabin".
  • In Italian, the "c" sound in "certo" as distinct from the "c" sound in "caffè".

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

1 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • French: c doux — Translations