sotto voce

[ sot-oh voh-chee; Italian sawt-taw vaw-che ]
See synonyms for sotto voce on Thesaurus.com
adverb
  1. in a low, soft voice so as not to be overheard.

Origin of sotto voce

1
First recorded in 1730–40; from Italian adverb sottovoce, “in a low voice,” from sotto “under” + voce “voice” (see origin at voice)

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use sotto voce in a sentence

  • “Not the first time a man has obtained rank through his ‘baggage,’” observed one of the officers, sotto voce.

    Newton Forster | Captain Frederick Marryat
  • Mr. Cavendish went over to Mr. Balfour, and they held a long conversation, sotto voce.

    Sevenoaks | J. G. Holland
  • "Seven hundred and forty-five pounds, fourteen shillings, and sixpence," said I sotto voce.

British Dictionary definitions for sotto voce

sotto voce

/ (ˈsɒtəʊ ˈvəʊtʃɪ) /


adverb
  1. in an undertone

Origin of sotto voce

1
C18: from Italian: under (one's) voice

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012