Soothing
/ˈsuːðɪŋ/
adjectiveverbB1present participle
Definition
Soothing means causing comfort and calmness, especially when someone feels pain, stress, or sadness. It can describe sounds, actions, or things that help reduce discomfort or worry. When used as a verb, it means to make someone feel better by calming their emotions or physical pain.
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See It in Action
Causing calmness or comfort (adjective)
- •The soothing sound of the rain helped me fall asleep.
- •She wore a soothing smile to make the child feel safe.
- •The soft colors in the room create a soothing atmosphere.
Making someone feel better or calmer (verb)
- •The mother was soothing her crying baby.
- •He tried soothing his friend after the bad news.
- •The lotion is soothing the sunburn on her skin.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "soothing" like "calm" (A1 word), but it actively helps you feel better when you are upset or hurt
- ✓Picture a soft, warm blanket wrapping around you on a cold day, making you feel safe and relaxed
- ✓It's the feeling you get when someone gently rubs your back or when you hear soft music after a long day
- ✓Sounds like "smooth-ing" → imagine something smooth and gentle touching your skin, making you feel relaxed
- ✓Think of lullabies sung to babies to help them sleep peacefully—this is soothing
- ✓NOT like "loud" or "harsh" (which can make you feel tense), soothing is gentle and soft
- ✓NOT like "exciting" (which makes you feel active), soothing makes you feel quiet and calm
- ✓As an action, soothing is done to help reduce pain or stress, not to make things worse
Try Other Words
- •Comforting: giving comfort and making someone feel less worried or hurt (Use when the focus is on emotional support)
- •Relaxing: helping someone rest and feel less tense (Use when the focus is on reducing physical or mental tension)
- •Gentle: soft and kind in action or manner (Use when describing the way something is done, emphasizing softness)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: root "soothe" + suffix "-ing" (shows action or describing word)
- •Etymology: From Old English "sōthian," meaning to soothe or relieve pain or distress
- •Historical development: The word has long been used to describe actions or things that reduce pain or calm emotions
- •Modern usage: Commonly used to describe sounds, actions, or things that help people feel calm or reduce pain and stress
Reflect & Connect
•What are some everyday things you find soothing when you feel stressed or tired?
•Can something be soothing for one person but not for another? Why do you think that happens?
Fill in the blanks
1.The soft music was very soothing ___ my nerves after a long day at work.
2.When the baby cried, the mother started soothing ___ with a gentle voice and rocking.
3.Unlike loud noises, a soothing sound helps people feel ___ and relaxed.
4.She applied the cream, hoping it would be soothing ___ her sunburned skin.
5.People often find nature sounds soothing ___ because they remind them of calm places.
6.After a stressful meeting, he took a walk to help soothe ___ his mind.
7.The doctor recommended a warm bath as a soothing ___ for muscle pain.