SOFT SPOT

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does soft spot mean? 

• SOFT SPOT (noun)
  The noun SOFT SPOT has 3 senses:

1. a place of especial vulnerability

2. a sentimental affection

3. any membranous gap between the bones of the cranium in an infant or fetus

  Familiarity information: SOFT SPOT used as a noun is uncommon.

 Dictionary entry details 

• SOFT SPOT (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

A place of especial vulnerability

Classified under:

Nouns denoting attributes of people and objects

Synonyms:

soft spot; weak part; weak spot

Hypernyms ("soft spot" is a kind of...):

weakness (the property of lacking physical or mental strength; liability to failure under pressure or stress or strain)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "soft spot"):

Achilles' heel (a seemingly small but actual mortal weakness)

jugular (a vital part that is vulnerable to attack)

underbelly (the quality of being weak or unprotected)

Sense 2

Meaning:

A sentimental affection

Classified under:

Nouns denoting feelings and emotions

Context example:

she had a soft spot for her youngest son

Hypernyms ("soft spot" is a kind of...):

affection; affectionateness; fondness; heart; philia; tenderness; warmheartedness; warmness (a positive feeling of liking)

Sense 3

Meaning:

Any membranous gap between the bones of the cranium in an infant or fetus

Classified under:

Nouns denoting body parts

Synonyms:

fontanel; fontanelle; soft spot

Hypernyms ("soft spot" is a kind of...):

opening; orifice; porta (an aperture or hole that opens into a bodily cavity)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "soft spot"):

anterior fontanelle (corresponds to the bregma when bones have ossified)

sphenoid fontanel; sphenoid fontanelle; sphenoidal fontanel; sphenoidal fontanelle (the irregularly shaped area on either side of the cranium where the frontal bone and the anterior tip of the parietal bone and the temporal bone and the greater wing of the sphenoid bone meet; corresponds to the pterion when bones have ossified)

Holonyms ("soft spot" is a part of...):

child's body (the body of a human child)

braincase; brainpan; cranium (the part of the skull that encloses the brain)