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Glite Dictionary
very softly

very softly

4 2.8
In music, played very quietly so the sound is almost not heard
  • adverb
translation icon : muy suavemente
  • "Sorry," Joel said very softly, his tone devoid of any emotion.
  • said very softly
  • speak very softly
  • sing very softly

So he said very softly, Oh, no, please.

Examples

  • The lullaby was sung very softly to help the baby fall asleep.

  • I could tell because when he was home, Lucia sang very softly, if she sang at all.

    Fiction book (1995)

  • So he said very softly, Oh, no, please.

    Harvard University

  • "Tell me, honey," he said very softly, "tell me."

    Fiction book (1999)

  • Then, very, very slowly and very, very softly, you say "Sorry."

    Fiction book (1999)

  • His voice was like a breath of wind, and he spoke very softly.

    Fiction book (1995)

  • After a moment, she said very softly, "My Lord awaits me."

    Fiction book (1997)

  • Just lean in and whisper your message to her very softly... so that only she can hear.

    A Shine of Rainbows (2009)

  • But she was sitting in a rocking chair, and very softly she began to glide back and forth.

    Fiction book (1999)

  • "I do wish it," she said very softly, blinking back tears as she drew herself up bravely, head high.

    Fiction book (2001)

Synonyms

quietly
vsvery softly
517 1.0

In a quiet way that makes little or no noise

is focused on very low musical volume rather than calmness or silence
softly
vsvery softly
178 1.0

In a quiet, low voice or at low volume

is meant mainly as a musical instruction for extremely low volume
faintly
vsvery softly
47 2.7

In a way that is only slightly noticeable

refers to extremely low musical volume rather than mere slightness
pianissimo assai
vsvery softly
9.9

Played or sung very softly in music

is the standard musical instruction for very low volume rather than extreme form
pianissimo
vsvery softly
  • Specialized
8.1

To play or sing very softly

is a general descriptive instruction for the same very low musical volume

Antonyms

loudly
172 1.0

In a way that makes a lot of noise

How Loud

loudly
172 1.0
softly
178 1.0
very softly
4 2.8
silently
129 1.2

Surface Forms

very softly positive

Morphology

very + softly

The meaning 'extremely quietly' is directly and transparently derived from combining 'very' (an intensifier) with 'softly' (quietly). This simple intensifier + adverb composition follows regular English grammar and is cross-linguistically common, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents will readily understand the MWE.

Etymology

Very softly pairs softly (a gentle touch or whisper) with very to make that touch even smaller. Think of a feather landing or a quiet whisper—this image shows why very softly means 'extremely quietly'.