🤫 In a quiet voice 🪶 In a gentle way

softly

35 1.0

In a gentle, light way using little force

adverb
/ˈsɔːf.tli/

: suavemente

He touched the painting softly so he wouldn't damage it.
softly and tenderly
softly against our faces

I'm just kind of softly, softly, softly adding a little color there.

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Examples

May the rains fall softly on your field.

Outing Riley (2004)
So it just looks like she really softly blends this into the skin.
And then I'll softly take it up further as well.
So what you want to do is just softly line your lips.
I'm going to just softly go under the eye.
And after a minute, he began to sing it softly, pitched a little too high.

Fiction book (1990)
I'm telling you to walk softly.

Eraser (1996)
Let the winds of dawn that blow softly round your dreaming head.
Without thinking, she began to sing softly as she counted the brush strokes.

Fiction book (1990)
I could hear the plaintive sound of a violin concerto playing softly on his stereo.

Fiction book (1990)

Synonyms

quietly

vssoftly

466 1.0

In a quiet way that makes little or no noise

is about low force rather than sound level

gently

vssoftly

324 1.0

To do something with little force to avoid hurting or making noise

is more neutral, focusing on simple light action rather than tone

lightly

vssoftly

135 1.0

In a gentle way using little force

emphasizes gentle manner rather than only small amount of force

delicately

vssoftly

39 3.7

Gently and carefully to avoid hurting people or breaking things

is about light action rather than careful sensitivity

sweetly

vssoftly

34 1.0

In a kind, gentle, pleasant way

focuses on mild action rather than affectionate tone

tenderly

vssoftly

22 1.6

In a gentle, caring way that shows love

is neutral kindness of action rather than loving feeling

very softly

vssoftly

5 2.8

In music, played very quietly so the sound is almost not heard

refers to gentle physical manner, not only musical volume

benignly

vssoftly

3 5.8

In a kind and gentle way that does no harm

focuses on low force rather than moral or social kindness

piano

vssoftly

Specialized

1 4.4

In music, softly so notes sound quiet

applies broadly to actions done with little force

caressingly

vssoftly

1 4.6

In a gentle, loving way like a soft touch

describes general light action without romantic or loving intent

pianissimo

vssoftly

Specialized

1 8.1

To play or sing very softly

is broader and used for gentle actions beyond music

mellowly

vssoftly

1 4.2

In a gentle, calm, and pleasant way

is more about light touch than the relaxed pleasant quality

benignantly

vssoftly

1 9.9

Be kind and gentle to other people

is about light force rather than kind intention

light-handedly

vssoftly

6.5

To act gently and carefully without using force

is similar but less focused on skillful subtlety

Antonyms

harshly

45 3.5

In a severe or unkind way that feels unpleasant

forcefully

45 3.5

In a strong way that uses a lot of power

Compounds

very softly

5 2.8

In music, played very quietly so the sound is almost not heard

tread-softly

Specialized

9.9

A tropical plant with stinging hairs that make the skin hurt

How Gently

tenderly

22 1.6

delicately

39 3.7

gently

324 1.0

softly

35 1.0

lightly

135 1.0

Surface Forms

softly positive

Morphology

softly = soft (transparent) = soft + ly

Standard adjective-to-adverb formation: meaning is directly derived from 'soft' to indicate manner.

Etymology

The word softly comes from the old English word soft, meaning 'not hard' or 'gentle', and the ending -ly turns it into a word about how someone acts. So softly means doing something with little force or a light touch, like closing a door or snow falling.