sotto voce

[ sot-oh voh-chee; Italian sawt-taw vaw-che ]

adverb

1. in a low, soft voice so as not to be overheard.

sotto voce

/ ˈsɒtəʊ ˈvəʊtʃɪ /

adverb

1. in an undertone

Word History and Origins

Origin of sotto voce¹

First recorded in 1730–40; from Italian adverb sottovoce, “in a low voice,” from sotto “under” + voce “voice” ( voice ( def ) )

Word History and Origins

Origin of sotto voce¹

C18: from Italian: under (one's) voice

Example Sentences

But instead, the trip is taking place sotto voce.

From BBC

The director Adrienne Campbell-Holt has Mark and Helen walk slowly toward each other while making sotto voce confessions: “I’m missing the nail on my right big toe,” “I have three fake teeth,” “I have arthritis in my knees.”

From New York Times

He clearly relishes soft playing, with sensitive effects of distant bells and moonlit drizzles in Messiaen’s “La Colombe” and “Le Nombre Léger,” and a murmured sotto voce in Chopin’s Op.

From New York Times

Heads bent close in the candlelight, speaking sotto voce, they made an almost rom-com pair.

From New York Times

He has, however, exerted direct control over both inquiries, trying to keep even the most quotidian information about his efforts away from the news media, and been present, if sotto voce, at the most critical moments.

From New York Times