softly
95
1.0
- 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.
- I'm just kind of softly, softly, softly adding a little color there.
- He leaned in, his teeth softly grazing my ear.
- He moved closer to her, softly crossing her neck with his left hand.
Examples
-
May the rains fall softly on your field.
-
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.
-
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
517
1.0
In a quiet way that makes little or no noise
372
1.0
To do something with little force to avoid hurting or making noise
86
1.0
In a gentle way using little force
44
3.7
Gently and carefully to avoid hurting people or breaking things
37
1.0
In a kind, gentle, pleasant way
23
1.6
In a gentle, caring way that shows love
4
2.8
In music, played very quietly so the sound is almost not heard
3
5.8
In a kind and gentle way that does no harm
1
4.6
In a gentle, loving way like a soft touch
To act gently and carefully without using force
In music, softly so notes sound quiet
To play or sing very softly
In a gentle, calm, and pleasant way
Be kind and gentle to other people
Antonyms
Compounds
How Gently
Surface Forms
Morphology
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.