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

Pope Leo's interactions with journalists are gentle and softly spoken, and his words always appear thought out and deliberate.

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“My ex is your friend,” I said softly.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

We watched silently and then he said, softly, “It’s a privilege to be here in the age of Ohtani.”

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The record played softly in the space and a few people sat on the couches, with their eyes closed.

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Echoes of her personal catastrophes and softly spoken, reserved tenderness jump from the page.

Read more on Salon

Related Words

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