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.

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sotto voce British  

/ ˈsɒtəʊ ˈvəʊtʃɪ /

adverb

1. in an undertone

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Etymology

Origin of sotto voce

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

Example Sentences

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

From Salon • Dec. 23, 2025

Though he’s given to explosive bursts of speech, as the character has developed, the humor he plays becomes more subtle and quiet, peppered with muttered comments and sotto voce asides he means to be heard.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 18, 2025

But instead, the trip is taking place sotto voce.

From BBC • Oct. 18, 2024

The result has been a more dynamic broadcast that has captured sotto voce moments among members not typically witnessed by the general public — and some have gone viral online.

From New York Times • Jan. 6, 2023

He would mumble sotto voce, pausing now and then to emit a murmur that students caricatured as “nim-nim-nim.”

From "Big Science" by Michael Hiltzik