Phrase guide

soft copy

noun · 2 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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No pronunciation record was provided for this word.

1

noun

Meaning 1

A digital copy of a document, rather than a copy printed on paper.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: hard copy

2

noun

Meaning 2

(computer science) matter that is in a form that a computer can store or display it on a computer screen

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • he sent them soft copy of the report

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: matter

History

Etymology

From soft + copy, attributed to American information technologist, philosopher, and sociologist Ted Nelson.

Across languages

Translations

10 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Greek: ψηφιακό αντίγραφο (psifiakó antígrafo) — digital copy of a document
  • Indonesian: salinan digital — digital copy of a document
  • Indonesian: salinan lunak — digital copy of a document
  • Indonesian: salinan elektronik — digital copy of a document
  • Māori: kape matihiko — digital copy of a document
  • Swahili: nakala tete — digital copy of a document
  • Thai: สําเนาชั่วคราว — digital copy of a document
  • Thai: ฉบับไม่พิมพ์ — digital copy of a document
  • Thai: สําเนาอิเล็กทรอนิกส์ — digital copy of a document
  • Welsh: copi meddal — digital copy of a document