Meaning & use
softback
Last updated
Meanings
nouncountable
A book with a flexible paper or thin card cover, as opposed to a hard stiff one.
Grammar: Countable: a softback, two softbacks.
Patterns
- in softback
- a softback edition
The novel will come out in softback next spring.
I prefer a softback because it fits in my bag.
The library has a hardback and a softback of that title.
adjectivebefore a noun
Describing a book that has a flexible paper cover.
Grammar: Comes before a noun: a softback copy.
Patterns
- a softback edition
She bought the softback edition to save money.
A softback copy was available at the front desk.
The softback version is lighter to carry.
Word forms
| plural | softbacks |
|---|
Common combinations
- softback edition
- The softback edition costs half the hardback price.
- softback book
- He packed a softback book for the flight.
- in softback
- The title is also available in softback.
- softback copy
- I lent my softback copy to a friend.
- cheap softback
- I picked up a cheap softback at the market.
Synonyms and how they differ
- paperback
- Is the most common word and is used in both British and American English, so it is a safe choice.
- softcover
- Is the usual American trade term and sounds more formal.
- pocket edition
- Suggests a small size as well as a soft cover.
Opposites
Word family
Commonly confused: softback or softbound?
softback vs softbound
Softbound is an adjective used for books with soft covers, while softback is mostly used as a noun.
Practice
Which describes a softback?
Choose one answer.
A softback has a flexible cover. A stiff board cover describes a hardback.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “softback”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.