softly

[ sawft-lee, soft‐ ]

adverb

1. in a low pitch or volume; quietly:

   We spoke softly so as not to wake the baby.

   Jazz was playing softly in the background.

2. Music. with a smoothly subdued and gentle sound:

   In this passage, the horns exit softly as the violins become more vibrant.

3. in a way that is neither harsh nor glaring to the eye:

   The room was softly lit with a dimmed chandelier and six flickering candles.

4. in a gentle, warm-hearted, or compassionate manner; tenderly; sympathetically:

   She softly embraced her son and reassured him of her love.

Word History and Origins

Origin of softly¹

First recorded in 1200–50; soft ( def ) + -ly ( def )

Example Sentences

His friends describe him as a charismatic orator, who spoke softly and possessed wells of energy for the issues he cared about most.

From Salon

Most fans assume Reilly is herself an American, not the softly spoken Brit she is in reality.

From BBC

The young women, wearing dresses in various shades of pink, one of the sorority’s colors, softly sang their national hymn.

From Los Angeles Times

He responds in the most L.A. way: nodding with a smile as he softly replies under his breath, “Cool.”

From Los Angeles Times

Nuno has refused to tread softly with Wood, especially after international duty, saying the striker is a "competitor" and will always be ready.

From BBC

Related Words

• delicately
• faintly
• gently
• gingerly
• quietly
• smoothly
• tenderly