soft launch

soft launch (plural soft launches)

1. (aeronautics) The launch of a missile in such a way that the rocket motor ignites outside of the launch tube, ejecting the missile non-explosively.

   Coordinate term: hard launch

2. (marketing) The release of a product or service (particularly software) to a limited audience, often in order to gain data on the product's usage and acceptance by customers.

   Synonym: soft opening

   Coordinate term: hard launch

3. (informal) The subtle or ambiguous announcement of a romantic relationship, often via social media.

   Coordinate term: hard launch

   • 2022 October 6, Laura Pitcher, “Is a ‘Soft Launch’ Right for Your Relationship?”, in The New York Times‎:

     Ms. Wright, who has done a soft launch on Instagram, shared that a healthy dose of mystery could be a good thing.

• soft-launch

soft launch (third-person singular simple present soft launches, present participle soft launching, simple past and past participle soft launched)

1. Alternative form of soft-launch.