sotto voce

American  

[sawt-taw vaw-che, sot-oh voh-chee] / ˈsɔt tɔ ˈvɔ tʃɛ, ˈsɒt oʊ ˈvoʊ tʃi /

adverb

1. in a low, soft voice so as not to be overheard.

---

sotto voce British  

/ ˈsɒtəʊ ˈvəʊtʃɪ /

adverb

1. in an undertone

---

Etymology

Origin of sotto voce

First recorded in 1730–40; from Italian adverb sottovoce, “in a low voice,” from sotto “under” + voce “voice” ( voice ( def. ) )

Example Sentences

John: sotto voce, just barely in range: “In the army, perhaps.”

From Salon • Dec. 23, 2025

But instead, the trip is taking place sotto voce.

From BBC • Oct. 18, 2024

Heads bent close in the candlelight, speaking sotto voce, they made an almost rom-com pair.

From New York Times • Dec. 4, 2023

But until fairly recently, the symptoms of this physical experience have been cloaked in banal terms, uttered sotto voce if at all.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 27, 2022

Later, Kimberly, sotto voce, told Ifemelu, “Morgan’s really hard on him. He tries so hard and she won’t let him in. She just won’t.”

From "Americanah" by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie