1. gentle care and affection; loving kindness
2. the quality of being easily hurt or damaged; sensitivity to pain or pressure
3. the quality of being soft and easy to chew or cut
Usage: often used to describe food

Examples

• She spoke to the frightened child with great tenderness.
• His tenderness toward his elderly parents was touching.
• The doctor examined the area of tenderness on her shoulder.
• There was still some tenderness around the wound.
• The meat was cooked to perfect tenderness.
• The tenderness of the vegetables showed they were fresh.
• He showed unexpected tenderness when comforting his friend.