tenderness

/ˈtɛndərnəs/
noun
  1. A gentle, caring, or loving feeling or quality.
    • The tenderness in her voice made everyone feel comforted.
    • Their relationship was built on trust and tenderness.
    • He showed great tenderness toward his younger sister.
  2. The quality of being easy to chew or cut; softness of food, especially meat.
    • She tested the tenderness of the roast with a fork.
    • Marinating the chicken helps improve its tenderness.
    • The steak was cooked to perfect tenderness.
  3. Soreness or pain when touched.
    • There was some tenderness in her abdomen, so she went to see a doctor.
    • He felt tenderness in his muscles after the long workout.
    • The doctor checked the tenderness around the injured ankle.