Soothing means calming, comforting, or easing discomfort. A soothing voice makes you feel relaxed and safe, like when a parent reads bedtime stories in a gentle, quiet tone. A soothing cream helps painful sunburn feel better, and soothing music can help you settle down after an exciting or stressful day.

When you soothe someone who's upset, you help them feel better through kind words or gentle actions.

What makes something soothing varies from person to person. Some people find ocean waves soothing, while others prefer the sound of rain on a roof. A warm bath might be soothing after a hard soccer practice. The key is that soothing things reduce tension, worry, or pain.

You can also use soothing to describe actions: a parent might give their crying toddler a soothing pat on the back, or a teacher might speak in soothing tones to help a nervous student feel confident before a presentation.