soft-spoken

[sawft-spoh-kuhn, soft-]

adjective

1. (of persons) speaking with a soft or gentle voice; mild.

2. (of words) softly or mildly spoken; persuasive.

soft-spoken

adjective

1. speaking or said with a soft gentle voice

2. able to persuade or impress by glibness of tongue

Word History and Origins

Origin of soft-spoken¹

First recorded in 1600–10

Example Sentences

We couldn’t believe what he was telling us as my mom is a very nice, soft-spoken person.

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Taking a deliberate, soft-spoken approach, Holley walked the jury through a timeline of Kay’s drug use and eventual distribution of opioids.

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The soft-spoken young villager from the mountains of southwestern Yunnan province told AFP how he and other workers were repeatedly beaten with electric rods and whips if they slacked or did not follow orders.

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"It was bitter and is still bitter when I'm the only one that can speak the language," the soft-spoken woman said.

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The soft-spoken attorney was widely vilified for pushing through legislation banning the death penalty at a time when most French people still supported the practice.

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Related Words

• gentle 
• reserved