software

software — noun

1. programs and other digital instructions that run on a computer or electronic dev

1.nounA2
Definition

programs and other digital instructions that run on a computer or electronic device, allowing it to perform specific tasks such as editing documents, browsing the web, or running games.

Example

Brian installed new photo-editing software on his laptop yesterday.

collocation: install [type of] software

The hospital uses specialized software to manage patient records.

uncountable: uses software (no -s)

Common collocations
  • install software
  • run software
  • develop / create software
  • update software
  • download software
  • software developer / software engineer
  • software company
  • software package
  • open-source software
  • antivirus software
  • software update / upgrade
Synonyms
  • programs

    wider term; 'software' often refers to a collection of programs

  • applications / apps

    narrower; refers to programs designed for end users with a specific interface

  • code

    informal and narrower; refers to the written instructions that make up software, not the finished product

Antonyms
  • hardware

    the physical parts of a computer, such as the screen, keyboard, and processor

Grammar Patterns

a piece of ~

~ + noun (e.g. software company, software update)

Usage Note

Uncountable noun — never use 'a software' or 'softwares.' Refer to individual items as 'a program,' 'an app,' or 'a piece of software.'

Common Mistakes

I downloaded three softwares for my computer.
I downloaded three pieces of software for my computer.
software is an uncountable noun and does not add -s.
She bought a new software for editing videos.
She bought a new video-editing program.' or 'She bought a piece of software for editing videos.
use 'a piece of software' or name the type of program.

Word family

  • software engineer
    noun phraseB1
  • software developer
    noun phraseB1
  • software development
    noun phraseB2

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

'Software' is the broadest term, covering all digital instructions that run on a device, including the operating system, utilities, and user-facing programs. 'Programs' is nearly as wide but often suggests executable files that a user runs directly. 'Applications' (or 'apps' for short) refers specifically to programs designed with a user interface for a particular task — a word processor or a mobile game, for example. An app is always software, but not all software is an app: the operating system that manages your phone's memory is software, but most people would not call it an 'app.' In everyday conversation, 'Can you recommend a good photo-editing app?' is more natural than asking about 'software,' which sounds more technical.

programsapplicationsapps

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • a piece of software
  • software as a service (SaaS)
  • open-source software

Prepositions

Etymology

English

Coined around 1958 in computing circles as a humorous contrast to 'hardware' (the physical machinery). The 'soft' part signals that programs can be changed easily, unlike the fixed physical components. The word was built on the same '-ware' pattern used in 'hardware,' which originally referred to metal goods.