softly
Jump to navigation
Jump to search
English[edit]
Etymology[edit]
From Middle English softely, softeliche, equivalent to soft + -ly.
Pronunciation[edit]
- (General American) IPA(key): /ˈsɔftli/
- (cot–caught merger, Canada) IPA(key): /ˈsɑftli/
- (Received Pronunciation) IPA(key): /ˈsɒftli/
Audio (US) (file)
Adverb[edit]
softly (comparative softlier or more softly, superlative softliest or most softly)
- In a soft manner; gently.
- The masseuse was rubbing my back too softly for my liking, so I asked her to go harder.
- 1861, Anthony Trollope, Framley Parsonage:
- He had married a lady well educated and softly nurtured, but not dowered with worldly wealth. […] They would give up ideas of gentle living, of soft raiment, and delicate feeding.
- Not loudly; nearly inaudibly.
- whisper softly in someone's ear
- play music softly
Derived terms[edit]
Translations[edit]
softly, gently
|