softly

[sawft-lee, soft‐]

adverb

1. in a low pitch or volume; quietly.

   We spoke softly so as not to wake the baby.

   Jazz was playing softly in the background.

2. Music.,  with a smoothly subdued and gentle sound.

   In this passage, the horns exit softly as the violins become more vibrant.

3. 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.

4. in a gentle, warm-hearted, or compassionate manner; tenderly; sympathetically.

   She softly embraced her son and reassured him of her love.

Word History and Origins

Origin of softly¹

First recorded in 1200–50; soft ( def. ) + -ly ( def. )

Example Sentences

“I miss you already, Grandma,” I say softly.

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He lowered his deep bass voice, but it was like trying to play softly on a tuba.

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Simon said softly, and they both gazed out at the star-studded sky.

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Throughout the sleeping house, the clocks were softly chiming three o’clock.

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Easing a pistol from his pocket, he knocked softly on the front door.

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Related Words

• delicately 
• faintly www.thesaurus.com
• gently 
• gingerly 
• quietly 
• smoothly www.thesaurus.com
• tenderly