softly
Americanadverb
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in a low pitch or volume; quietly.
We spoke softly so as not to wake the baby.
Jazz was playing softly in the background.
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Music. with a smoothly subdued and gentle sound.
In this passage, the horns exit softly as the violins become more vibrant.
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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.
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in a gentle, warm-hearted, or compassionate manner; tenderly; sympathetically.
She softly embraced her son and reassured him of her love.
Etymology
Origin of softly
First recorded in 1200–50; soft ( def. ) + -ly ( def. )
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
He said he didn't have the angle for a dunk "so I tried to tip it in softly and it went in."
From Barron's • Jun. 11, 2026
The dancers — now unified in formations that softly bleed into one another like clouds — demand attention.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 4, 2026
Washington, he said, will pursue that vision with “strength that is disciplined, resolve that is steady, and leadership that is confident enough to speak and walk softly while carrying a big stick.”
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 1, 2026
In his speech, Hegseth emphasised the US's "strong, quiet and clear" approach to the region - its capacity to wield a "big stick" but "speak softly".
From BBC • May 30, 2026
Dad’s in his room on the phone; I hear him in a low whisper, softly laughing.
From "Split the Sky" by Marie Arnold
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
