sotto voce

American  

[sawt-taw vaw-che, sot-oh voh-chee] / ˈsɔt tɔ ˈvɔ tʃɛ, ˈsɒt oʊ ˈvoʊ tʃi /

adverb

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

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sotto voce British  

/ ˈsɒtəʊ ˈvəʊtʃɪ /

adverb

1. in an undertone

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Etymology

Origin of sotto voce

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

Example Sentences

Though he’s given to explosive bursts of speech, as the character has developed, the humor he plays becomes more subtle and quiet, peppered with muttered comments and sotto voce asides he means to be heard.

From Los Angeles Times

But instead, the trip is taking place sotto voce.

From BBC

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

From New York Times

But his subsequent sotto voce remark, to the effect that he probably wouldn’t give any of the Manhattan Project scientists clearance under those rules, doesn’t appear anywhere in the 1,011-page hearing transcript.

From Los Angeles Times

Seated next to him at a public hearing, you were in constant danger of laughing out loud at his sotto voce commentaries.

From Los Angeles Times