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

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

Root, according to a witness, leaned toward friends and suggested sotto voce that they all cut away for cocktails.

From "The Devil in the White City" by Erik Larson