softly
Americanadverb
-
in a low pitch or volume; quietly.
We spoke softly so as not to wake the baby.
Jazz was playing softly in the background.
-
Music. with a smoothly subdued and gentle sound.
In this passage, the horns exit softly as the violins become more vibrant.
-
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.
-
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 was softly spoken as he answered almost every question from the judge with either "yes, your honour" or "no, your honour".
From BBC • Apr. 27, 2026
Romvari weeps as she spreads them out on a table, saying “hi” softly to her brothers.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 24, 2026
Today, Timon sits in a softly lit studio, looking at a photograph from one of their final concerts in Khartoum.
From BBC • Apr. 18, 2026
If you’ve ever located the game, then sobbed softly on the couch as you tried for the 17th time to remember your password, you may think justice is coming.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 10, 2026
He patted his bed for me to come and sit, and he spoke softly so as not to wake Mawuli.
From "Flying Through Water" by Mamle Wolo
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.
